By M Ahmad
Srinagar- To prevent “further damage” to the ecosystem and the Dal Lake itself, the High Court of J&K and Ladakh has asked the government to carry out modification of the Master Plan 2035 as regards “buffer zones” around the water body, the flagship of Kashmir tourism.
In this regard, the court asked the government to follow the due process as contemplated under the Jammu and Kashmir Development Act, 1970.
“The Court taking cognizance of the various issues, passed a detailed order on 08.09.2022 and also keeping in mind the Master Plan 2035 which was already published, this Court was of the view that Master Plan can be revised and modified as per the advice of the experts,” said a bench of Chief Justice N. Kotiswar Singh and Justice Moksha Khajuria Kazmi while hearing a Public Interest Litigation regarding preservation and conservation of the world famous lake.
“This Court accordingly granted liberty to the State to get the area of buffer zones around the Dal Lake re-examined by the State Authorities and to place a report before this Court ….”
Pursuant to its order dated 8 September last year, the court observed, a Technical Committee of Experts was constituted by the State on 9 December 2022.
The Committee after due deliberations submitted a report which the court said has been accepted by the Government for initiating the statutory process and making requisite changes in the Master Plan.
“Considering the importance of the matter for preservation of the Dal Lake and to prevent further damage to the ecosystem and the Dal Lake itself and since the Administration has also accepted the technical report, we are of the view that respondents (authorities) may proceed for modification of the Master Plan 2035 by following the due process as contemplated under the Jammu and Kashmir Development Act, 1970,” the court said.
Last year, the court had observed that the Master Plan 2035 envisages use of the Buffer Zones for amusement parks, aquariums and swimming pools. “It will not only require construction of a permanent nature would have a drastic impact on the beauty of the waterfront and the lakes, surroundings,” the court had said, adding, “Utilization of the buffer zones for swimming pools, amusement parks, theme parks and the like, would also envisage high footfalls and consequent impact on the area in terms of waste disposal, littering, pollution etc.”
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