Srinagar- The National Green Tribunal has directed the Jammu & Kashmir Administration to look into the matter and take remedial action against use of snow bikes in and around the Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary and Eco Sensitive Zone.
The green panel was hearing an application claiming that snow bikes use petrol which has a harmful impact on the ecology. The applicant has also claimed that the weight of the bikes impacts the soil and the vegetation underneath the snow and such activities also result in encroachments and loss of grasslands.
A bench of Chairperson Justice A K Goel said, “On due consideration but without expressing any opinion on merits at this stage, we consider it appropriate to direct that the matter be looked into and such remedial action taken in accordance with law as found appropriate by the ACS, Forest and Environment, J & K.”
The bench, also comprising Judicial Member Justice Sudhir Agarwal and expert members A Senthil Vel and Afroz Ahmad, said the applicant may serve a set of papers on ACS, Forest and Environment, J & K and file an affidavit of service within one week.
The applicant in the case has invoked a notification from the “MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE, which says that the Central Government notifies an area to an extent varying from zero (0) to 4.1 kilometers around the boundary of Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary, in Baramulla District in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir as the Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary Eco-sensitive Zone.
Pertinently, the applicant has also relied upon a letter from Wildlife Range Gulmarg addressed to the Director Tourism on the subject of unauthorized plying of Snow bikes in Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary at Kangdori. “…due to these snow bikes the natural habitat of many wild animals is being disturbed and forcing these animals to leave their natural habitat and settle down in human habitation which leads to many man animal conflicts. In view of the above and to avoid such incidents your goodself is requested to pass directions to stop the entry of snow bikes in Gulmarg wildlife sanctuary immediately.” the letter reads.
As per the order, a copy of which lies with Kashmir Observer, the application has been disposed off.
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