Environmental Laws under threat!

The unchecked operation of banquet halls in Jammu and Kashmir without valid permission has emerged as a serious environmental and regulatory concern. Running any industry or banquet hall without valid consent is not merely an administrative lapse but a clear violation of environmental laws. These establishments generate significant air emissions, wastewater, solid waste, and noise pollution, all of which have direct and long-term impacts on public health and ecological balance. When regulatory norms are ignored, the burden of pollution is unfairly transferred to citizens who have no role in these violations.

Alarmingly, thousands of banquet halls are reportedly operating across Jammu and Kashmir without obtaining mandatory clearances under environmental statutes. This widespread non-compliance reflects weak enforcement, lack of awareness among operators, and, in some cases, deliberate disregard for the law. The hospitality and event industry has grown rapidly in recent years, but regulatory oversight has not kept pace with this expansion. As a result, many banquet halls function without pollution control devices, proper sewage treatment systems, or emission safeguards, contributing to deteriorating air and water quality in both urban and semi-urban areas.

In this context, the recent action by the Jammu and Kashmir Pollution Control Committee (PCC) in Kathua district is a significant and timely intervention. The PCC has issued notices to 36 banquet halls operating in different areas of district Kathua, warning them of strict action for functioning without valid consent. The committee has categorically stated that operating any industry or banquet hall without prior approval violates the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. Under these laws, it is mandatory for such establishments to obtain consent before operation and to install necessary pollution control equipment to meet prescribed emission and effluent standards.

According to the PCC, several banquet halls in Kathua have been found operating illegally, a violation considered a punishable offence under environmental laws. Such violations can attract penalties, imprisonment, or both. The notices also highlight that these halls are not only breaking the law but are actively contributing to air and water pollution, thereby endangering public health. The committee has warned that failure to respond within ten days to the show-cause notices will result in stringent legal action, including closure of operations.

This action should serve as a wake-up call across Jammu and Kashmir. Environmental laws exist to protect collective well-being, not to hinder business. Sustainable operation and legal compliance must become non-negotiable standards. Strong enforcement, combined with accountability from operators, is essential to ensure that economic activity does not come at the cost of environmental degradation and public health.