Srinagar, Oct 15: The High Court of J&K and Ladakh has directed that no fuel-operated motorboat, including shikara motorboats and Jet Skis, shall be allowed to operate in Dal Lake until further orders, citing concerns over pollution and protection of the lake ecosystem.
A division bench of Chief Justice Dr Pushpendra Singh Bhati and Justice Rajesh Sekhri put on hold the operation of the motorboats in response to a related plea by Muhammad Rafiq Mir and others.
The court noted that the existing mechanism for permitting motorboats suffered from a lack of uniform criteria and transparency, with concerns also raised over pollution, the number of boats permitted to operate and the environmental impact of motorised vessels.
The aggrieved petitioners’ contention is that any criteria for granting licences should be uniform, transparent and environmentally sound, maintaining that Jet Skis, motorboats and other motorised vessels could damage the lake ecosystem and required a regulated and protective approach.
In its argument, the government projected that Dal Lake pollution was an issue that the authorities intended to address while maintaining a balance between tourism activities and cleanliness. The lake, it said, had a significant role in the civilisation of the territory and that a scientific and expert-oriented approach would be adopted regarding motorised tourism activities.
The court observed that with lake systems becoming a growing concern for civilisation, policies must seek to prevent pollution while balancing tourism activities and ensuring uniformity among stakeholders. Moreover, it observed that solar and electric boats could provide a possible solution for balancing tourism with the sustenance of lakes.
“Thus, in the larger interest of justice,” the bench directed the Lake Conservation and Management Authority (LCMA), Tourism Department and Police to ensure that no fuel-operated motorboat, including a shikara motorboat or Jet Ski, operates in Dal Lake until further orders.
The court warned that any motorised boat found operating in violation of the order would amount to contempt of court and directed the concerned officers to strictly prohibit such operations.
However, boats used by the administration and authorities for emergency services, law and order, disaster management and safety have been exempted from the restriction.
The court also directed the government to formulate a comprehensive policy for motorised boats after consulting experts, with the objective of minimising pollution while balancing tourism and environmental protection.
Furthermore, it asked the authorities to explore whether complete motorisation could be replaced with solar-powered electric engines.
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