Srinagar, Oct. 16 -- The Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court's decision to prohibit fuel-powered motorboats, including motorised shikaras and jet skis, on Dal Lake until further orders is a timely reminder that environmental protection cannot remain confined to official speeches and conservation plans. The October 14 order places the lake's ecological survival at the centre of a debate that Kashmir can no longer afford to postpone. The court has directed the concerned authorities to enforce the restriction strictly and explore cleaner alternatives. Dal Lake is far more than a tourist attraction. It sustains livelihoods, supports traditional occupations and forms an inseparable part of Srinagar's cultural identity. Yet the pressure of ...