A PIL filed by a law student seeking closure of cement plants in and around Khrew of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district has put the Wildlife Department, the Pollution Control Board and other concerned departments in a tight spot as they will have to explain how they allowed cement factories to function in the prohibited area.

The PIL, filed by Yawar Ali last week states that the pollutant from the 13 mini-cement plants was endangering Hangul, the specie declared “at the verge of extinction” in the adjoining forests and Dachigam Park. The PIL adds that the emissions are of unaccepted levels. “The industrial activity is in violation of Article 21 of Constitution as right to pollution free environment has been recognized by the Supreme Court as an integral part of the right to life guaranteed under Article 21 of Constitution of India,” the petitioner said.