The high court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh has prohibited the operation of fuel-powered motorboats and jet skis on Dal Lake until further orders.A division bench comprising chief justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati and Justice Rajesh Sekhri passed the directive on Wednesday while hearing a petition filed by Mohammad Rafiq Mir.The court directed the authorities, including the lakes conservation and management authority (LCMA), the tourism department and the police, to ensure strict implementation of the ban.“In the larger interest of justice, taking a comprehensive view of the submissions made, it is directed that the respondent authorities LCMA, tourism, and police shall ensure that no motor boat, whether it be a shikara motorboat or Jet Ski which operates by fuel, is operated in the Dal Lake until further orders,” the bench said.The court also warned that any violation of its directive would amount to contempt of court, instructing the concerned officials to strictly prohibit such operations, according to the new agency PTI.
Court stresses need to protect Dal Lake from pollution
The bench observed that protecting lake ecosystems has become increasingly important, making it necessary to restrict activities that contribute to pollution.It also emphasised that the policy governing motorised boats should strike a reasonable balance between tourism-related activities, environmental protection and ensuring uniform rules for all operators.The judges suggested that solar-powered and electric boats could provide a viable alternative, allowing tourism operators to continue their activities while safeguarding the lake’s ecological health.
Solar-powered boats suggested as an alternative
The court asked the government to examine whether conventional motorisation could be replaced with solar-powered systems or electric engines.
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Senior additional advocate general Mohsin Qadri was asked to explore the possibility of replacing existing motorised boats with solar-powered electric engines and present the findings before the court.The government had earlier been directed to submit a comprehensive policy on the operation of motorised boats.However, the court clarified that the prohibition would not apply to boats used for emergency services, law and order, disaster management and safety-related operations.The matter has been listed for the next hearing on October 30.
