Srinagar: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued a notice to the Jammu and Kashmir government over the construction of a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) battalion camping site near a wildlife reserve in Srinagar, directing the state to file its response at least a week before the next hearing.
The notice was issued by a bench comprising Justice Prakash Shrivastava (chairperson) and expert member A. Senthil Vel while hearing a plea challenging the proposed camping site for the 61st, 79th, 117th and 132nd CRPF battalions.
The petitioner alleged violations of environmental norms in setting up the camp on 1,324 kanals (67 hectares) of land in the Brain area near Nishat. According to the plea, the location falls close to a protected area and wildlife corridors, directly impacting the Brain Nishat Conservation Reserve. The site is also designated as a buffer and green belt under the Srinagar Master Plan 2035.
It was further highlighted that the land is a habitat for the critically endangered Kashmiri Stag (Hangul) and the vulnerable Asiatic Black Bear. The applicant contended that no seismological assessment or carbon footprint evaluation was carried out prior to granting permission for construction.
The plea also warned that the project could lead to large-scale tree felling in the area.
The tribunal has listed the matter for the next hearing on November 24.
