MoEF, CPCB don’t know exact number of Ramsar sites in Valley
*Local bodies asked to remove encroachments
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, May 28: Central Pollution Control Board has conveyed to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that water quality of Kashmir valley’s nine wetlands at various locations doesn’t meet the criteria for Class B Designated Best Use and corrective action will be initiated after gathering more information in this regard.
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However, the Tribunal has expressed surprise that neither the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) nor the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) knows the exact number of Ramsar sites in the Kashmir valley.
The NGT is considering the issue of unchecked deposits of sediments resulting in shallowing of wetlands, elevated temperature, increased Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Potential of Hydrogen (pH) level, illegal encroachment and waste discharge in the wetlands of Kashmir valley.
The Tribunal, on the basis of suo-moto action, had on March 13, 2024 impleaded the respondents and had issued notices to them. The Central Pollution Control Board in its report dated May 21, 2024 mentioned that there are five Ramsar sites—Hygam Wetland, Shalbugh Wetland, Hokera Wetland, Wular Lake and Mansar Lake. Including these 5 Ramsar sites there are 11 wetlands.
However, the counsel for the Ministry of Environment and Forest submitted that there are only three Ramsar sites in Kashmir. On this, a bench of the NGT comprising Justice Prakash Shrivastava (Chairperson), Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi (Judicial Member) and Dr A Senthil (Expert Member) observed, “it is surprising that neither the Ministry nor the CPCB knows the exact number of wetlands in Kashmir”.
The CPCB has informed the NGT that in respect of Wular lake in Bandipora, analytical report for the parameters pH, Dissolved Oxygen (DO) and BOD reveals that out of 11 monitoring locations, two locations were not qualifying with respect to Class B of Designated Best Use (DBU) water quality criteria for the months of March and April 2024. The Class B of Designated Best Use means fishing, swimming and recreation, healthy aquatic habitat, industrial supply and agricultural use.
The analytical report in respect of Anchar Lake in Srinagar reveals that out of 5 monitoring locations, three locations were not qualifying with respect to Class B of DBU for the month of April 2024 while as out of 24 monitoring locations in respect of Dal Lake, none of the location was qualifying with respect to Class B of DBU water quality criteria for the months of March and April, 2024.
Out of three monitoring locations, two were not qualifying with respect to Class B of DBU for the month of April in respect of Hokarsar Wetland. Similar findings have been recorded in respect of Shalbugh Wetland in Ganderbal, Freshkoori Wetland in Pulwama, Kranchoo Wetland in Pampore, Chatlam Wetland in Pulwama and Manibug Wetland in Pampore.
Ghansham Singh, Member Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir Pollution Control Committee has submitted that for removal of encroachment from the wetlands, communications have been sent to the local bodies and so far as the reports relating to micro-biological parameters are concerned, the same are awaited and for that purpose he sought time from the Tribunal.
Alpana Narula, Scientist CPCB appearing by virtual mode submitted that in respect of the wetlands where the report reveals that requisite parameters are not meeting, necessary information will be collected within two months and within the same period, corrective action will also be initiated.
It was also submitted by counsel for another respondent that he will file the relevant revenue record disclosing the details and area of each of the wetland in Jammu & Kashmir. Accordingly, NGT directed that the relevant information be filed within 8 weeks. “It will be open to all the respondents to file their further reply/report within 8 weeks keeping in view the observations made”, the NGT added.
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