High Court Grants One-Week Extension To State Govt For Filing Compliance Report On Measures Being Taken To Avert 2014-Like Flooding In J&K

Conceding to the statement of the Government Advocate appearing for the respondents that the compliance report in tune with the earlier directions of the court was ready Acting Chief Justice Tashi Rabstan and Justice Puneet Gupta observed,

“In view of above, he seeks and is granted a short adjournment of one week to file the composite compliance before the Registry, with an advance copy to the learned Amicus Curiae, who shall then submit his response within one week”

In terms of its previous order, the court had directed the administration to file detailed affidavits and compliance reports on the preventive measures to tackle potential floods in the Kashmir Valley, especially with the looming monsoon season.

Furthermore, the court had sought the most recent compliance report from the authorities in accordance with an order dated June 10, 2016, which among other things instructed all concerned Deputy Commissioners (DCs) to make sure that no building of any kind is built within their borders and should also include tabulated information about the encroachments that have been removed on the River Jhelum.

These directions had come in PILs, filed in 2014, 2017, and 2018 which had raised concerns about various aspects of flood prevention and response. Specifically focusing on removing encroachments from canals near villages in Srinagar to improve water flow the petitioners had urged measures to prevent similar floods to those of 2014 and address the issue of compensation paid to traders for flood damage.

Addressing the major issue of the lack of proper demarcation of wildlife sanctuaries, conservation reserves, and wetland reserves which play a vital role in floodwater management, the Court directed the administration to expedite demarcation using GIS technology.

Giving a narrow window of one week to place on record a fresh report demonstrating steps being taken by the administration to address all these issues the court listed the matter on September 26, 2024, for further review.

Case Title: Environmental Policy Group Vs Union of India

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