The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken suo motu cognizance of the matter relating to the rising pollution in the seven Great Lakes trek in Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district.
The petition is registered suo motu on the basis of the news item dated 09.08.2024.
As per the news item, the pollution crisis is due to the irresponsible disposal of plastic by trekkers.
The news item states that the plastic bottles and polythene bags are being discarded in pristine areas, contaminating the environment and contributing to the lakes’ deterioration.
The news item highlights that the affected lakes include Vishansar, Gadsar, Gangabal, and Satsar, where trekking activities are at their peak.
News item also stated that trekkers are leaving behind significant amounts of plastic waste, which is tarnishing the natural beauty of these sites.
Furthermore, Vishansar, situated at the foothills of the mountains and approximately 30 km from the tourist spot Sonamarg, is one of the lakes drawing numerous visitors each year.
News item also highlighted that the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek, which includes treks to lakes such as Krishnasar, Gangabal, Satsar, and Gadsar, offers both short and long trekking options for experienced adventurers. However, the increasing pollution threatens to undermine the natural allure that makes these treks so popular.
Tribunal has taken up a similar mater related to unregulated tourism in the Himalayan states leading to pollution and ecological imbalance in 2022, wherein the Himalayan states and GB Pant Institute among others were directed to take up study in this regard within three months and the Secretary, Environment and Secretary, Tourism, Government of India were directed to take further action.
The news item raises substantial issue relating to compliance of provisions of Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 and the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
“Power of the Tribunal to take up the matter in suo-motu exercise of power has been recognized by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the matter of “Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai vs. Ankita Sinha & Ors.” reported in 2021 SCC Online SC 897.”
Hence, Principal Bench of Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi and Dr. A. Senthil Vel impleaded the following as respondents in the matter:
1) Central Pollution Control Board, through its Member Secretary.
2) Jammu & Kashmir Pollution Control Committee, Through its Member Secretary.
3) GB Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment, Through its Director.
4) Ministry of Environment and Forest.
5) District Magistrate, Ganderbal.
The Bench issued notice to the Respondents and listed the matter on 28.11.2024.