New Delhi, Dec 3: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued a notice to the Jammu & Kashmir Government seeking its response on the construction of a new industrial estate at Trenz in Shopian, following allegations that the 500 kanal state-owned land earmarked for the project forms part of the Rambiara river’s flood plain.
The notice was issued by the NGT’s Principal Bench, headed by Justice Prakash Srivastava, with expert members Dr Senthil Veil and Dr Afroz Alam also in attendance. The matter came up for hearing on Tuesday.
Senior Advocate Saurabh Sharma, appearing for petitioner Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat—writer and environmental activist—argued that the 500 kanal (63-acre) site lies barely 30 metres from the Rambiara river and falls “within the natural route of high-flow floodwaters”. He warned that situating an industrial estate at the location could endanger downstream habitations.
“The estate encroaches on one side of the river. This will pose a severe threat to residents on the opposite bank and may lead to flooding of agricultural land and apple orchards across nearly a dozen villages in Shopian and Pulwama,” Sharma submitted.
He also referred to the draft District Disaster Management Plan of Shopian, which identifies one-third of the district as flood/flash flood-prone. Citing the site plan prepared by J&K SIDCO, the counsel said the proposed industrial estate clearly falls inside the flood plain.
After hearing the petitioner’s counsel, the NGT observed that the plea raises substantial questions concerning compliance with environmental norms.
“The original application raises substantial issues relating to compliance with environmental norms. Issue notice to the respondents. The applicant is directed to serve the respondents and file an affidavit of service at least one week before the next hearing,” the bench ordered.
J&K government had approved the establishment of the industrial estate in February 2024 at an estimated cost of Rs 68 crore, on 500 kanal of state land near the Rambiara riverbank.
The case has now been listed for the next hearing on February 24, 2026.
