JAMMU APRIL-05-2023:- In a Public Interest Litigation PIL on preservation and conservation of Dal Lake which was initiated in 2002 on the basis of a letter of one, Syed Iqbal Tahir Geelani, a student of 6th Semester LLB University of Kashmir, Srinagar. The letter highlighted the miserable conditions of the various water bodies and lakes which at one time were the lifeline of the valley. Since 2002.
A Division Bench of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court Comprising Justice Sanjeev Kumar and Justice Puneet Gupta directed to update the status report as to the steps taken for the conservation and preservation of the water bodies in terms of the orders passed by this Court from time to time.
A Division Bench of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court Comprising Justice Sanjeev Kumar and Justice Puneet Gupta after hearing Law Officer, LAWDA who appears and submits that order dated 27.02.2023, passed by this Court could not be complied with for the reasons that draft report is before the Government for approval. As and when the necessary approval is accorded, a fresh report shall be submitted in this Court. DB granted four weeks’ time to file the fresh status report.
It is worthwhile to mention here that on Feb 27, 2023, DB grants two weeks time to Government Advocate, who submits that the Committee headed by the Principal Secretary to the Government of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, Housing and Urban Development Department, has already taken certain decisions with respect to the directions passed by this Court from time to time and that he will be placing on record the said decisions within two weeks by way of a proper motion. He shall do so by the next date of hearing positively, with a copy in advance to all the learned appearing Counsel for the parties. JNF