J&K&L High Court Bans Fuel-Powered Motorboats, Shikara Motorboats, Jet Skis In Dal Lake Until Further Orders
The Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court has directed authorities to ensure that no fuel-powered motorboat, including motorised shikaras and Jet Skis, operates in Dal Lake until further orders, observing that a policy regulating such activities must balance tourism with pollution control and the preservation of the lake's ecosystem.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Dr. Pushpendra Singh Bhati and Justice Rajesh Sekhri also warned that allowing any such motorised boat to operate would be treated as contempt of court. The Bench directed the authorities to formulate a comprehensive policy on motorised boats in consultation with experts and explore whether conventional engines could be replaced with solar-powered electric engines.
“We direct that in case any motorized boat is allowed to ply or is reported to ply, it shall be held as contempt of today's order of this court, and therefore the officers concerned shall take a strict view by restricting and prohibiting such operations”, the bench remarked.
The order was passed on October 14 while hearing a petition filed by Mohammad Rafiq Mir and others, who had raised concerns over the lack of uniform criteria and transparency in the grant and renewal of licences for motorboats operating in Dal Lake.
Court Seeks Transparent Policy For Motorboats.
The petitioners submitted that the process governing permission for motorboats suffered from a lack of clear criteria and transparency. They pointed out that licences had previously been granted by tourism authorities, while the process was now stated to fall within the jurisdiction of the Regional Transport Office (RTO).
They argued that the absence of publicly available criteria had affected those engaged in the motorboat industry and raised concerns about the fairness and credibility of the licensing process.
The petitioners also acknowledged the environmental concerns associated with motorised boats, submitting that Jet Skis and other motorised vessels could damage the lake's ecosystem. They urged the authorities to adopt a uniform, transparent and environmentally protective approach.
The Bench had earlier framed three questions for the authorities to answer and directed the government counsel to obtain instructions from the Lakes Conservation and Management Authority (LCMA), the RTO and the Tourism Department.
Appearing for the authorities, Senior Additional Advocate General Mohsin S. Qadri submitted that although auctions had been conducted for motorboats and some operators had been permitted to operate them for tourism, the tourism licences had not been reviewed.
He assured the Court that the administration would adopt a scientific and expert-oriented approach to regulate motorised vessels while addressing pollution and balancing tourism interests.
'Solar Boats And Electric Boats Could Be A Solution'
Taking note of the submissions, the Bench observed that lake systems had become an increasing concern for civilisation and that activities causing pollution needed to be addressed through a reasonable policy framework.
The Court said that the policy would have to balance tourism activities, pollution control and uniformity among those engaged in the industry.
It observed,
“This court is not hesitant to observe that solar boats and electric boats could be a solution for balancing the equities between tourism and the sustenance of lakes.”
The Bench accordingly directed the LCMA, Tourism Department and Police to ensure that no fuel-operated motorboat, including a motorised shikara or Jet Ski, operates in Dal Lake until further orders.
The Court made clear that the restriction was not merely advisory. It directed that if any motorised boat was allowed to operate, or was reported to be operating, it would be treated as contempt of the order.The Bench directed the officers concerned to take a strict view and ensure that such operations were prohibited.
However, the restriction will not apply to boats used by the administration and other authorities for emergency services, law and order, disaster management and safety purposes.
The Court also directed Qadri to place before it a comprehensive policy that the Union Territory proposes to adopt for regulating motorised boats. The policy is to be framed in consultation with experts, with the twin objectives of minimising pollution and balancing tourism with environmental protection.
The government counsel was further asked to explore whether complete motorisation could be replaced with solar-powered electric engines.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on October 30, 2026.