ORDER

1. This original application was registered on the basis of a letter petition by one of the residents of Udhampur raising the issue of illegal encroachment on the Bank of river Devika in District Udhampur, Jammu & Kashmir. It was alleged that on account of such encroachment, natural flow of the river and flora and fauna of the river of nearby area was adversely affected.

2. The Tribunal by order dated 28.04.2023 while entertaining the letter petition had formed a joint Committee with a direction to the joint Committee to visit the site, collect relevant information and submit a factual report.

3. The joint Committee had submitted the report dated 31.07.2023. The report of the joint Committee revealed that the river was heavily contaminated with sludge and silt at Devika Ghat and that the drains were carrying municipal solid waste and public waste which is deposited in the river and construction material and solid waste was also dumped along with the river bank. The joint Committee also noticed certain other violations as under:

“3.1. Factual Report by the Joint Committee:

The following are the key observations made by the Joint Committee during the site visit:

a) At Devika Ghat, th