NGT Directs CPCB, Jammu Kashmir PCC to Assess Mansabal Lake Pollution, Issues Notices | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the Jammu Kashmir Pollution Control Committee (PCC) to ascertain the status of water quality in Manasbal Lake and identify sources of pollutant discharge into the wetland in Ganderbal district.

The Tribunal asked both agencies to submit a status and action taken report at least one week before the next date of hearing.

The directions were issued while hearing an application filed by environmental and RTI activist Raja Muzaffar Bhat, who alleged large-scale discharge of untreated sewage and solid waste into the lake through the Lar Canal and adjoining areas.

The matter was heard on January 30, 2026, by the NGT’s Principal Bench comprising Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Chairperson, and Senthil Vel, Expert Member.

Advocates Rahul Chowdhary and Shreepuna Dasgupta, representing the applicant, submitted that untreated sewage from 14 villages is being discharged into the Manasbal wetland through the Lar Canal, resulting in severe pollution of the water body. They informed the Tribunal that the lake serves as a drinking water source for nearly 30,000 residents in Ganderbal and Bandipora districts.

The plea stated that despite contamination, water from the lake continues to be supplied for domestic use.

After hearing the submissions and examining the petition, the Bench issued notices to multiple authorities, including the Union Territory government through the Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretary (Jal Shakti), Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal, Mission Director Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin, Chief Executive Officer of the Wullar Manasbal Development Authority (WMDA), Executive Engineer of the Irrigation and Flood Control (IFC) department, and several Block Development Officers responsible for rural sanitation in the Lar Canal catchment.

In its order, the Tribunal said: “The Respondent No. 2 – CPCB and Respondent No. 3 – JKPCC are directed to ascertain the status of water quality of the wetland in question and also find out the sources of discharge of pollutants in this wetland and submit the status and action taken report at least one week before the next date of hearing. The other respondents are also directed to file their reply by way of affidavit.”

The application states that Manasbal Wetland is listed under the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017, and is also included in the National Wetland Atlas for Jammu and Kashmir.

The petitioner placed before the Tribunal photographs and scientific material to support the claim of pollution. A study report titled “Current Status of Macrophyte Diversity and Distribution in Manasbal Lake, Kashmir, India” was cited, indicating nutrient enrichment and proliferation of aquatic vegetation due to domestic sewage, detergents, and solid waste entering the lake.

The report noted that increasing macrophyte growth and eutrophication point to deteriorating water quality and called for immediate conservation and restoration measures.

Reference was also made to the status of a sewage treatment plant project initiated nearly a decade ago, which is yet to become fully operational, resulting in continued inflow of untreated sewage into the lake.

The Tribunal has listed the matter for further hearing on April 22, 2026.

Following the order, Raja Muzaffar Bhat said the pollution was affecting both the environment and public health, as thousands depend on the lake for drinking water.