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J&K High Court Queries UT Government Over Delay in Wetland Plans and
A of the has directed the Union Territory government to explain why it failed to respond to a September 2025 communication from the regarding for three wetland reserves, and why separate IMPs had not been resubmitted in accordance with the 2024 NPCA guidelines. The Court also widened the inquiry to ask why other in the UT had been overlooked in the process.
The Bench, comprising Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Kumar and Justice Mohd Yousuf Wani, was hearing a that originated from concerns over encroachments in Wular Lake's catchment area and has since expanded to cover broader wetland conservation issues.
A Communication Left Unanswered
On
, the
submitted Integrated Management Plans under the Centrally Sponsored National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystem (NPCA) for three wetland reserves, seeking approval for the 2025-26 to 2029-30 period. The
, however, found the proposal
"not in conformity with NPCA scheme"
and sent a communication on
, requiring the UT to submit a separate IMP for each wetland in line with the NPCA Guidelines, 2024.
An affidavit filed by the Ministry on , informed the Court that the had not responded to that communication. The Ministry also noted that the NPCA scheme, which expired on , has received an interim extension until , and that a proposal for a new cycle (2026-31) awaits approval.
"Necessary to Have a Response"
After perusing the Ministry's affidavit, the Court observed that it was necessary to obtain the UT's side of the story. The Bench directed the to file an affidavit clearly explaining:
"the reasons as to why the communication dated 10.09.2025 has not been responded so far and as to why the separate IMPs for each of the three wetland reserves have not been re-submitted to the Ministry."
Significantly, the Court expanded the scope of the explanation required. The affidavit must also address:
"why the otherin the UT of J&K have been ignored while processing/submitting the IMPs to the Ministry concerned."
This directive indicates the Court's concern that the conservation efforts should not be limited to a few wetlands but must encompass all Ramsar-designated sites in the region.
Time for Compliance
The Court granted three weeks for the UT Government to file the required affidavit. The matter was directed to be listed on , alongside PIL No. 11/2017.
In a separate order, the Court released Rs. 25,000 in favour of the , , who has been representing the petitioner .
The case continues to highlight the systemic challenges in implementing wetland conservation plans in the Kashmir Valley, with the Court actively monitoring compliance from both the Centre and the UT administration.
