Srinagar, Oct 15: The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has directed authorities to prohibit the operation of all fuel-powered motorboats and jet skis on Dal Lake until further orders, observing that protecting the lake’s fragile ecosystem must remain a priority while balancing tourism activities.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Dr Pushpendra Singh Bhati and Justice Rajesh Sekhri passed the directions while hearing a petition filed by Mohammad Rafiq Mir and others.
The court directed the Lakes Conservation and Management Authority (LCMA), Tourism Department and Police to ensure that no fuel-powered motorboat, including motorised shikaras and jet skis, operates on Dal Lake until further orders.It cautioned that any violation would amount to contempt of court and directed the concerned officers to take a strict view by restricting and prohibiting such operations.
However, boats used for emergency services, law and order, disaster management and safety have been exempted from the restrictions.The court also asked the Jammu and Kashmir administration to formulate a comprehensive policy governing motorised boats after consulting experts, with the objective of minimising pollution while maintaining a balance between tourism and environmental protection.
It further directed the government to explore whether conventional motorised boats could be replaced with solar-powered or electric engines.Observing that lake ecosystems have become an increasing concern, the Bench said policies regulating motorised activities must be reasonable, transparent and uniform, taking into account environmental sustainability and the interests of those engaged in tourism.
The court noted that solar and electric boats could offer a possible solution to reconcile tourism-related activities with the long-term preservation of Dal Lake.During the hearing, counsel for the petitioners raised concerns over the absence of clear and publicly available criteria for granting licences to motorboat operators.
They submitted that the licensing process had shifted from the Tourism Department to the Regional Transport Office (RTO), while the lack of transparency was affecting people associated with the motorboat industry.
The petitioners also stressed the need for uniform regulations governing motorboats and jet skis, arguing that motorised activities could damage the lake’s ecosystem and required a regulated, environment-sensitive approach.
Appearing for the government, Senior Additional Advocate General Mohsin S Qadri submitted that authorities were committed to addressing pollution in Dal Lake while ensuring that tourism activities were regulated appropriately.He informed the court that auctions for motorboats had taken place, allowing certain operators to use boats for tourist purposes, while tourism licences had not been reviewed.
The government also acknowledged the historical and civilisational significance of Dal Lake and expressed its willingness to adopt a scientific, expert-oriented approach to regulating motorised water transport.The matter has been listed for further hearing on October 30.
