New Delhi, Dec 3 (KNS): The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued a notice to the Jammu & Kashmir Government over the proposed construction of a new industrial estate at Trenz in south Kashmir’s Shopian district, after a petition claimed that the 500-kanal site earmarked for the project falls within the flood plain of the Rambiara river.
The matter came up for hearing on Tuesday before the Principal Bench of the Tribunal headed by Justice Prakash Srivastava, with expert members Dr Senthil Vel and Dr Afroz Alam on the bench.
The petition, filed by activist and writer Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat, contends that the land—approximately 63 acres acquired for the industrial estate—is barely 30 metres from the river and lies within the natural high-flow path of Rambiara. Senior Advocate Saurabh Sharma, representing the petitioner, argued that the proposed site falls squarely in the floodplain and “encroaches upon the river”, posing risk to residents on the opposite bank and threatening agricultural fields and apple orchards in nearly a dozen villages in Shopian and Pulwama downstream.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
During arguments, the petitioner’s counsel cited the Draft District Disaster Management Plan of Shopian, noting that “one-third of the district is exposed to floods/flash floods”.
The counsel further pointed to the site map prepared by the J&K State Industrial Development Corporation (SIDCO), claiming it shows the proposed estate located immediately along the river.
Taking note of the submissions, the Tribunal said: “The original application raises substantial issues relating to compliance of environmental norms. Issue notice to the respondents.” The NGT has directed the applicant to serve the respondents and file an affidavit of service at least a week before the next hearing.
The proposal for the Trenz industrial estate, estimated at ?68 crore, was approved by the Administrative Council headed by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha in February 2024. The case has been posted for next hearing on February 24, 2026.(KNS).