SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court has prohibited the operation of fuel-powered motorboats and Jet Skis on Dal Lake until further orders, citing concerns over pollution and the need to protect the lake’s ecosystem.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Dr Pushpendra Singh Bhati and Justice Rajesh Sekhri directed the Lakes Conservation and Management Authority (LCMA), Tourism Department and Police to ensure strict compliance with the order passed on October 14.
The court warned that any violation would amount to contempt of court and directed the authorities concerned to take strict action to prevent unauthorised operations.
Boats used by the administration and other authorities for emergency services, law and order, disaster management and safety have been exempted from the prohibition.
The directions came during the hearing of a petition filed by Mohammad Rafiq Mir and others concerning the licensing and renewal process for motorboats used for tourism on Dal Lake.
During the proceedings, the petitioners raised concerns over the absence of clear and publicly available criteria for granting licences, alleging a lack of transparency in the process. They submitted that the earlier practice of the Tourism Department granting licences had shifted towards the Regional Transport Office (RTO), while the applicable criteria remained unclear.
The petitioners also highlighted the potential environmental damage caused by motorboats and Jet Skis, calling for a uniform, transparent and environmentally responsible regulatory framework that takes into account pollution and the number of vessels permitted to operate on the lake.
Appearing for the Jammu and Kashmir administration, Senior Additional Advocate General Mohsin S Qadri informed the court that auctions for motorboats had taken place and certain operators had been permitted to run boats for tourist activities. He also submitted that tourism licences had not been reviewed.
Qadri told the court that the authorities were committed to addressing pollution in Dal Lake while maintaining a balance between tourism activities and environmental protection. He assured the Bench that a scientific and expert-driven approach would be adopted to address the issue of licensing motorised tourist vessels.
Taking note of the submissions, the court stressed that any policy governing motorised boats must balance tourism, pollution control and fairness among operators.
The Bench observed that solar-powered and electric boats could offer a possible solution to reconcile tourism requirements with the long-term preservation of lake ecosystems.
The court directed the administration to formulate a comprehensive policy on motorised boats in consultation with experts, with the objective of minimising pollution while safeguarding tourism interests.
It also asked the administration to examine whether conventional motorised propulsion could be replaced entirely by solar-powered or electric engines and place its findings before the court.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on October 30, 2026.
