Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Nov 9: The High Court of J&K and Ladakh has sought a response and suggestions from the Amicus Curiae concerning a status report filed by authorities on wetlands designated as Ramsar sites.
A division bench consisting of Chief Justice Tashi Rabstan and Justice MA Chowdhary asked the Amicus to review the status report submitted regarding wetland sites in the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. The court further invited suggestions from the Amicus to the ongoing Public Interest Litigation (PIL) aimed at restoring the pristine glory of wetlands.
Recognizing the significance of the matter, the Bench gave the Amicus time to submit a response and recommendations by the next hearing date, as the Supreme Court has delegated the issue’s oversight to this High Court.
The wetlands designated under the Ramsar Convention include Hokersar, Wular Lake, Shalbugh, and Haigam in the Kashmir Valley, Tso Moriri and Tso Kar in Ladakh, and the Surinsar-Mansar Lakes in Jammu.
Following a 2017 Supreme Court directive, the High Court converted an affidavit submitted by a petitioner regarding certain Ramsar-listed wetlands into a PIL. The Supreme Court had asked the Chief Justices of relevant High Courts to treat these affidavits as suo moto PILs and, if necessary, to appoint an Amicus Curiae to ensure the conservation of Ramsar sites within their jurisdictions.
The public interest highlights the need for protecting not only Ramsar-listed wetlands but also additional wetlands identified by the State Government. These areas are vital to ecosystem services and biodiversity. Their protection and integration into development planning and decision-making are essential for the preservation of wetland biodiversity and ecosystem services.
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