The Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court has imposed an immediate ban on the operation of fuel-powered motorboats, motorised shikaras, and jet skis in Srinagar’s Dal Lake to safeguard the waterbody’s fragile ecosystem.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Dr Pushpendra Singh Bhati and Justice Rajesh Sekhri issued the directive on October 14, ordering the Lakes Conservation and Management Authority, the Tourism Department, and local police to halt all commercial and private fuel-driven vessels until further notice.
The court warned that allowing any motorised watercraft to navigate the lake would be treated as contempt of court, instructing administrative officers to enforce the prohibition rigorously. Official vessels deployed for emergency services, disaster management, law and order, and public safety remain exempt from the restrictions.
Call for a New Regulatory Framework
The bench delivered the ruling during proceedings concerning the licensing and renewal framework for motorboats operating on the lake. During the hearing, petitioners contended that permissions must follow a transparent, uniform, and environmentally sustainable system, warning that motorised watercraft inflict ongoing harm on the aquatic habitat.
In response, counsel representing the government stated that the administration is committed to curbing pollution and preserving the lake’s cultural and civilisational importance. The government counsel noted that authorities plan to adopt an expert-driven, scientific strategy to address licensing for motorised tourism operations while balancing visitor activities against environmental health.
Shift Toward Green Water Transport
In its observations, the bench emphasised that contemporary environmental standards require eliminating pollution-causing activities from vulnerable lake systems. The court underscored that any long-term official policy must strike a fair balance between supporting tourism, controlling pollution, and ensuring parity among commercial operators.
The judges suggested that transitioning to electric and solar-powered vessels could resolve the tension between sustaining local tourism and protecting the waterbody.
Alongside the operational ban, the court instructed the Jammu and Kashmir administration to consult domain experts and draft a comprehensive regulatory policy governing motorised vessels, focused on environmental protection and tourism management.
