Srinagar, Mar 3, KNT: The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has imposed a strict ban on commercial activities, including the use of snow scooters and sledges, in and around the Zero Point of Zojila Pass to safeguard the fragile ecosystem of the region. The court also prohibited the use of polythene bags and plastic materials, citing serious environmental concerns.
The ruling came in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Abdul Wahid, a councillor from Bhimbet, Drass, who highlighted the encroachment of Ladakh’s land, environmental degradation, and illegal activities in the ecologically sensitive Zojila Pass area.
The petitioner argued that unchecked tourism, illegal commercial operations, and human activities were damaging the region’s unique biodiversity, leading to habitat destruction, pollution, and disruption of wildlife migration patterns. A report from the Wildlife Warden, Kargil, underscored the adverse impact on endangered species like the Himalayan Brown Bear and Long-Tailed Marmots.
The court noted that despite multiple opportunities, the administration of Ganderbal had failed to submit a response, prompting immediate intervention. It directed officials from both the Union Territories to launch an extensive cleanliness drive in collaboration with NGOs and social organizations.
Furthermore, Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) from Ganderbal and Kargil have been tasked with ensuring strict enforcement of the order and submitting an action-taken report before the next hearing on April 15, 2025.
The court emphasized that failure to control reckless activities could lead to glacial retreat, altered snowfall patterns, and severe consequences for local communities in Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir.
