Srinagar: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken suo-motto cognizance on the land sinking in Pernote, Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir, issuing notices to the Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir, the Pollution Control Committee, District Magistrate Ramban, and others.
They are required to file their responses by September 17, 2024.
The NGT cited the Supreme Court’s recognition of its power to take up such matters suo-motto, referencing the case “Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai Versus Ankita Sinha and Others.
In addition to the Chief Secretary and J&K Pollution Control Committee, the NGT has also involved the Central Pollution Control Board, Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Govind Ballabh Pant National Institute of Himalaya and Environment, and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
The Tribunal has asked these entities to respond one week before the next hearing.
Reportedly, 58 houses were damaged, a postion of Jammu-Srinagar highway collapsed and more than 500 people were displaced in ramban land subsidence.
Experts have attributed the land sinking to human activities, such as haphazard construction, road expansions, and tunnel construction in eco-fragile zones.
The development of buildings and settlements on unconsolidated materials, deforestation, unscientific road construction, and terracing on steep slopes have exacerbated the problem