J&K HC: Protect Dal Lake’s fragile ecosystem from pollution

Now, in a significant move to protect Kashmir's iconic Dal Lake from pollution, the Jammu and Kashmir High Court has prohibited the operation of motorized shikaras and fuel-powered jet skis on the lake until further orders. The court has directed authorities to explore solar-powered and electric alternatives. A division bench of Jammu and Kashmir High Court has issued the directions asking the Jammu and Kashmir Lake Conservation and Management Authority and the tourism department and the police to ensure strict compliance. The court has warned that any violation of the order would be treated as contempt of court. It's not about, see, we have to understand, even two weeks before, we had a meeting with all the stakeholders who are actually plying Shikaras, including their president, it was just two weeks back, wherein we actually are trying our level best to make them understand that the ecology of Dal Lake has to be serene and we have to use our orthodox and traditional methods. The prohibition, however, does not extend to motorized boats deployed by the Administration for Emergency Services, Maintenance of Law and Order, and Disaster Management. The High Court stressed the need to protect the lake's fragile ecosystem from pollution while allowing responsible tourism, calling for fair and consistent regulations. The order comes amid growing concerns over the lake's deterioration due to encroachments, construction, and shrinking open waters. A CAG report recorded a 10.1% decline in its open water area between 2007 and 2020. In a significant move to protect the Kashmir Valley's iconic Dal Lake, the Jammu and Kashmir High Court has barred the use of jet skis and motorboats on Dal Lake. As you can see, there is right now a jet ski, which we can see being ridden by the people here on the Dal Lake, the essential services, which is if there's an ambulance using a motorboat, or if there is also the security forces that are using the motorboats in case of emergencies, that should be allowed. But the jet skis, as well as motorboats for the tourists, should not be allowed, as they are still plying on the road, even plying on the Dal Lake, even after the order from Jammu and Kashmir High Court. With journalist Firoz Idrees Lone for WION World is One.