Srinagar, Oct 15, KDC: The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh has directed authorities to prohibit the operation of all fuel-powered motorboats and Jet Skis on Dal Lake until further orders, citing concerns over pollution and the need to protect the lake’s ecosystem.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Dr Pushpendra Singh Bhati and Justice Rajesh Sekhri passed the directions while hearing a petition filed by Mohammad Rafiq Mir and others on October 14.
The court directed the Lakes Conservation and Management Authority (LCMA), Tourism Department and Police to ensure that no fuel-powered motorboat, including motorised shikaras and Jet Skis, operates on the lake until further orders.
It warned that any violation of the directions would be treated as contempt of court and directed the concerned officers to take strict action to restrict and prohibit such operations, reported news agency Kashmir Dot Com.
However, boats used by the administration and other authorities for emergency services, law and order, disaster management and safety purposes have been exempted from the order.
The court also directed the Union Territory administration to formulate a comprehensive policy on the operation of motorised boats in Dal Lake, in consultation with experts, with a focus on minimising pollution while balancing tourism-related activities.
It further asked the authorities to explore whether conventional motorisation could be replaced with solar-powered or electric engines.
During the proceedings, counsel for the petitioners raised concerns over the lack of clear criteria and transparency in granting licences for motorboats operating on Dal Lake.
The petitioners submitted that tourism authorities had earlier been granting such licences, while the process had subsequently involved the Regional Transport Office (RTO). They argued that the absence of publicly available criteria had created difficulties for those engaged in the motorboat industry and raised questions about the fairness of the licensing process.
The petitioners also highlighted environmental concerns, submitting that Jet Skis, motorboats and other motorised vessels could damage the lake’s ecosystem. They called for uniform, transparent and environmentally sound criteria governing the issuance of licences, including limits on the number of boats permitted to operate.
Appearing for the authorities, Senior Additional Advocate General Mohsin S. Qadri submitted that although auctions had been conducted for motorboats and certain operators had been allowed to operate for tourism purposes, tourism licences had not been reviewed.
He told the court that the administration was committed to addressing pollution in Dal Lake while maintaining a balance between tourism activities and the preservation of the water body.
The court observed that lake ecosystems were an increasing concern and stressed that any policy governing motorised vessels must be reasonable and ensure a balance between tourism, pollution control and uniform treatment of stakeholders.
Observing that solar-powered and electric boats could offer a possible solution, the Bench directed the authorities to examine alternatives to fuel-powered vessels.
The matter has been listed for further consideration on October 30, 2026. (KDC)
