The Biz Reporter
Srinagar, Jan 15: Environmental Policy Group (EPG), a prominent environmental advocacy organization in Jammu and Kashmir, has expressed deep concerns regarding the insufficient public consultation process for proposed amendments to the Jammu and Kashmir Unified Building Byelaws (UBBL) 2021.
The group criticizes the January 18, 2025 deadline as an inadequate timeframe for meaningful public engagement, particularly for evaluating environmental implications of the new regulations. Of particular concern are impacts on green spaces, water management, and sustainable construction practices, which require thorough analysis and stakeholder input.
EPG highlights that communication about these amendments has been severely limited. While the proposed changes are available on the department’s website, they have not been effectively publicized through local newspapers in either English or vernacular languages, significantly restricting input from environmental stakeholders, conservationists, and ecological researchers.
The organization emphasizes that these amendments will have substantial environmental implications across the Union Territory, affecting green building standards, rainwater harvesting protocols, solar energy initiatives, waste management solutions, and conservation of ecologically sensitive regions.
In response, EPG requests several immediate actions. They call for a minimum 90-day extension to the consultation period to allow for thorough environmental impact assessments. The group also advocates for enhanced accessibility of the proposed amendments through targeted consultation sessions addressing environmental dimensions of the building bylaws.
Additionally, EPG recommends establishing standard operating procedures that incorporate environmental impact assessments into all future amendments of building bylaws, including permanent environmental advisory committees and routine review mechanisms.
The organization stresses that a comprehensive and inclusive consultation process is essential for aligning these regulations with environmental protection objectives and safeguarding the region’s ecological health for future generations.
