SRINAGAR: To sensitise law students about environmental legislation and its enforcement, a roundtable discussion was held at KCEF Law College, Pulwama, in association with the JK Climate Action Group.
The programme was presided over by the Director of the college, Prof Abdul Hamid Sheikh. Chairman of the climate group, Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat, delivered a detailed presentation on key environmental legislations, including the Environmental Protection Act 1986, Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1974, Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1981 and the Municipal Solid Waste Management Rules 2016. He also referred to recent regulatory developments and shared case studies highlighting legal interventions, particularly by the National Green Tribunal.
Environmental lawyer Advocate Shakir Parray spoke about alleged violations of riverbed mining regulations in Jammu and Kashmir. Citing a case study from the Sukhnag river, he said that 163 disposal permits had been issued without mandatory environmental clearances. He noted that intervention by the tribunal had helped break what he described as an “atmosphere of silence,” claiming that illegal mining networks had created a climate of fear among residents.
RTI activist Mushtaq Ahmad Lone raised concerns over the implementation of the Swachh Bharat Mission Gramin, alleging violations of solid waste management norms. He said that waste segregation sheds established under the programme had, in several cases, turned into dumping sites with no actual segregation taking place. He also questioned claims regarding open defecation-free status in certain villages and urged students to use legal provisions to address environmental issues.
The discussion centred on themes such as solid waste management, riverbed mining and water pollution, with students engaging in an interactive session with the speakers.
Students, including Bisma Jan, Suriya Khalil, Shanu Jan, Momin and Aquib Gulzar highlighted concerns such as degradation of water bodies, deforestation and rising pollution levels in Kashmir.
Faculty member Rayees Ahmad Wani presented the vote of thanks, acknowledging the efforts of the organisers, including Prof Sheikh and Ajaz Ahmad Lone. Dr Bhat urged participants to identify local environmental issues and take them up with district authorities and the National Green Tribunal, adding that a follow-up workshop would be held at the college in May.
The event concluded with a plantation drive on the college campus, with students terming the initiative a step towards fostering environmental awareness among future legal professionals.
