DB directs Govt to examine commercial viability of Dal weed

19/02/2019

SRINAGAR, feb 18:A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice Sanjeev Kumar directed Govt to examine the commercial viability and possibility of the utilisation of "Myriophyllum Spicatum" - the weed that grows extensively in the Dal Lake.
When the PIL came-up for hearing, Divison Bench observed that third Report of the Committee of Experts dated 6th February 2019 has been perused by us. The report reflects the tremendous efforts being put in by the Committee of Experts and its laudable suggestions.
Unfortunately, no Action Taken Report with regard to our previous orders or the suggestions made by the Committee of Experts has been placed before us, DB observed.
Sr. AAG Dar submits that the Action Taken Report could not be filed for the reason that under orders of the Chief Secretary, Shri Prasanna Ramaswamy stands recently appointed as Vice Chairman, LAWDA who is holding full-fledged charge of the organization, and has to file the same. Mr. Dar, Sr. AAG assured Cour that Shri Prasanna Ramaswamy shall examine the matter on urgent basis, take action in terms of the recommendations and suggestions of the Committee of Experts and the Action Taken Report shall be filed positively within three weeks from today.DB further observed that a perusal of the Third Report of the Committee of Experts would show that there has to be interaction amongst different departments of the Government. Apart from the LAWDA, the State Pollution Control Board; the Revenue Authorities; the Department of Agriculture and Horticulture; the Department of Tourism are required to take action upon the recommendations of the Committee of Experts and the orders passed by this Court.
Upon this DB directed Secretaries or the Heads of all the Authorities and Departments to ensure prompt cooperation and action in response to any suggestion, direction made by the Committee of Experts or request from the LAWDA with regard to any aspect relating to subject matter of consideration by this Court or the Committee of Experts.
DB further directed immediate action shall be taken by the Revenue Authorities for identifying the land for rehabilitation of the owners of the floating gardens. The decision in this regard shall be communicated to the Vice Chairman LAWDA as well as Committee of Experts within two weeks. This is essential to enable the allotments and commencement of farming at the relocation sites by the persons who have to be moved.
DB further observed that the Committee of Experts shall also ensure that the authorities place a comprehensive scheme and plan for rehabilitation of all the persons who have to be rehabilitated before it. Provisions of all necessary facilities at the rehabilitation site would also be undertaken. The proposal for relocation shall be placed before the Committee of Experts by the end of this month so that the Committee of Experts can examine the same and visit the proposed site as well in its forthcoming visit to Srinagar.
At serial No. 3 of the Third Report, the Committee of Experts has reported about the proposal to convert weed waste from Dal Lake into 'wealth'. It is reported that NIPER, Hyderabad has come up with an innovative proposal of 'waste to wealth' i.e., to use Myriophyllum Spicatum, a weed that grows extensively in the Dal Lake for extraction of Gallic acid, that is widely used in the pharmaceutical industry and in the manufacture of preservatives and in cosmetics. DG, NIPER has been asked by the Committee of Experts to take the idea forward.
DB ask Chief Secretary to look into these observations by the Committee of Experts and to examine the possibility of the commercial utilization of the weeds.
DB further directed LAWDA to place a report with regard to the action taken on the public notices regarding STPs which had to be installed by hoteliers around the periphery of the Dal Lake.
DB further directed the authorities also place before us the steps taken towards informing and educating the public about the directions of the court recommendations of the Committee of Experts, applicable laws and regulations etc.
This prohibition shall be implemented by the State Pollution Control Board and the local police, DB ordered. JNF

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