SrinagarThe Jammu and Kashmir High Court on Tuesday directed government directed Chief Secretary to appoint any of the Commissioner Secretaries as nodal officer for a concrete action plan for re-establishing of network of water bodies with Jehlum, the lifeline of Kashmir.
Hearing a Public Interest Litigation, a division bench of Chief Justice Badar Durrez Ahmad and Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey directed the Chief Secretary to appoint the Commissioner Secretary, who in coordination with all concerned shall establish a concrete action plan, with a week.
The Court on several occasions directed the authorities to re-establish the network between the Jhelum, streams, lakes and wetlands and had sought report from all the concerned. As the authorities failed to carry the exercise to its logical conclusion, it prompted the court to order appointment of the nodal officer for the exercise.
The Court also directed the Commissioner Secretary Forest to complete the demarcation of wetlands within three months, as he assured that no further extension of time be sought in this connection.
The Court directed Deputy Commissioners of district Ganderbal, Srinagar, Baramulla, Budgam and Pulwama to cooperate with the Commissioner Secretary Forest for carrying out the exercise of demarcation process.
Disaster Management, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction department has also submitted its report, indicating that revised policy has been prepared and submitted to Government for approval.
It also sought the report regarding updating of J&K Disaster Management policy which as per information has been notified.
Likewise, the court ordered that the demarcation of National Parks, Wetland, and Wildlife Sanctuaries and Conservation reserves needs immediate attention and had sought demarcation report.
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