Jammu and Kashmir High Court bars use of shikara motorboats, jet skis on Dal lake in Srinagar

The Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) High Court on Thursday (October 15, 2026) barred the use of motorboats, both shikara motorboats and fuel-driven jet skis, on Dal Lake, and directed the government to explore the possibility of using solar-powered e-engines.  

“Taking a comprehensive view of the submissions made, it is directed that the authorities shall ensure that no motorboat, whether it be a shikara motorboat or Jet Ski which operates by fuel, is operated in the Dal Lake until further orders,” held J&K Chief Justice Dr. Pushpendra Singh Bhati and Judge Rajesh Sekhri.

The Division Bench directed the J&K Lake Conservation and Management Authority (J&K LCMA), the Tourism Department, and the J&K Police to implement the order.

“We direct that in case any motorised 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,” held Justice Bhati and Justice Sekhri.

However, the court exempted the boats used by the administration and the authorities for the purpose of emergency services, law and order and disaster management.

“The 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 judges observed. 

The court further held: “On the limited propositions that have been addressed, this court is convinced that in modern times, when lake systems have become a growing concern for civilisation, steps are being taken to exclude activities which would cause pollution, and also it would be important that whatever policy is framed is more reasonable while balancing tourism activities, pollution, as well as the uniformity between the players involved”.

Pleading the case before the court, B.A. Bashir, Senior Counsel, and Falak Bashir, counsel, argued for criteria that are uniform, transparent, and environmental. “Jet Skis, motorboats, or anything motorable which is in the lake is likely to damage the ecosystem of the lake and, therefore, a regulated and protective approach toward the issue needs to be adopted in a uniform manner,” Mr. Bashir and Ms. Falak told the court. 

Dal Lake is the central attraction of tourism in Kashmir. However, a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) suggested that the lake has witnessed a 10.15% shrinkage in open water area, “dropping from 15.40 square kilometres in 2007 to 12.91 square kilometres in 2020”. The lake is also marred by encroachments and growing construction in its close vicinity.