SRINAGAR: The High Court of Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh has prohibited the operation of fuel-powered motorboats and jet skis on Dal Lake until further orders, directing the authorities to enforce the restriction strictly and warning that violations would invite contempt of court proceedings.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati and Justice Rajesh Sekhri issued the directions on Wednesday while hearing a petition filed by Mohammad Rafiq Mir.
The court directed the Lakes Conservation and Management Authority (LCMA), the Tourism Department and the police to ensure that no fuel-powered motorboat, including motorised shikaras, or jet ski operates on the lake.
The bench instructed the concerned officers to take a strict view of any breach of the order, making it clear that violations would be treated as contempt of court.
Observing that pollution in lake ecosystems had become a matter of growing concern, the court stressed the need to discourage activities that could damage these water bodies.
It also underlined the importance of framing a policy that balances tourism-related activities with environmental protection while ensuring uniformity among operators.
The bench suggested that solar-powered and electric boats could provide a way to reconcile the requirements of tourism operators with the need to preserve the lake ecosystem.
Boats deployed for emergency services, law and order, disaster management and safety purposes have been exempted from the restriction.
The government had previously been directed to submit a comprehensive policy governing motorised boats on Dal Lake.
During Wednesday’s proceedings, the bench asked Senior Additional Advocate General Mohsin Qadri to examine whether conventional motorisation could be replaced entirely with solar-powered electric engines and place the findings before the court.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on October 30.
