Jammu and Kashmir High Court to examine allegations of encroachment, risks to ecology of Ladakh

The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh has decided to examine allegations of encroachment and risks to the ecology of Ladakh after a letter raising these issues was sent to the Court’s Acting Chief Justice [Abdul Wahid v. Union Territory of Ladakh and anr].

The Court has registered a public interest litigation (PIL) case in the matter, after receiving a letter alleging border encroachment issues and environmental safety risks in Ladakh.

On July 23, a Bench of Acting Chief Justice Tashi Rabstan and Justice Rajnesh Oswal sought the response of various authorities in Ladakh, the Deputy Commissioners of Kargil and Ganderbal and the Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir in the matter.

The matter will be heard next on August 28.

The Court took note of the issue after a letter dated July 1 was addressed to the Acting Chief Justice by Abdul Wahid, a Councillor of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC).

The letter was titled “Save Ladakh’s Environment, Ecology and Land from Encroachers and Resolve the Boundary Dispute between District Kargil (UT Ladakh) and District Ganderbal (UT J&K).”

In the letter, it was stated that land in Ladakh was being encroached by residents of the Ganderbal district.

This was being done by stating that the Border Roads Organization (BRO) has divided the snow area land into equal proportions, the letter said. Such actions are endangering the flora and fauna of the Ladakh region, the letter added.

The letter also raised concerns over the impact of unregulated traffic and tourist movement in Ladakh.

The Court has asked the respondent authorities to file their responses in the matter by the next hearing.

Advocate Rehana Qayoom, and Deputy Solicitor General of India TM Shamsi accepted notice on behalf of the impleaded authorities of Ladakh and Kargil during the July 23 hearing.

Government Advocate Illyas Nazir Laway accepted notice on behalf of the authorities in Kashmir and Ganderbal.