SRINAGAR: The Legislative Assembly’s Committee on Environment today conducted an extensive tour to inspect various conservation works undertaken by the State Government in and around Dal Lake. The Committee members headed by MLA Hakim Mohammad Yasin, visited interiors of Dal Lake including Pazalpora, Burzhama, Teilbal, Nishat, Shalimar to check the pace of the conservation works. Other members of the committee who participated in the inspection include Legislators Shamim Firdous, Mohammad Altaf Wani (Kuloo), Noor Mohammad, Abdul Majid Larmi and Gulzar Ahmad. During the inspection Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA) chairman, Tahseen Mustafa, apprised the Committee about the ongoing de-weeding and other works which, he said, has enhanced the water expanse of Dal Lake from 18 Sq Kms to 20 Sq Kms due to removal of land masses, especially on Northern Foreshore Road. The Committee was informed that a number of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) have been set up to reduce the level of pollutants in the lake. Chairman LAWDA said that the localities from Saida Kadal to Ashai Bagh falling in the catchment area of Dal Lake are yet to be relocated and are not yet connected to the sewer network thus affecting the water quality. LAWDA officials said the process of the rehabilitation of people living in the interiors of Dal Lake at Rakh-e-Arth in Bemina has hit the roadblock due to a recent High Court order on quarrying. The Committee chairman said he will raise the matter with the State Government so that the rehabilitation process is resumed at the earliest so that the conservation of Dal Lake doesn’t suffer. During the inspection, the Committee directed the LAWDA authorities to ensure that the machines used in de-weeding process don’t spill diesel into the waters which can impact the ecosystem of the Lake. They also directed the authorities to install solar lights and set up fountains to attract tourists. At Nishat, the Committee Members inspected the site where a parking facility has been set up. On the occasion, the Committee Chairman directed the LAWDA authorities to complete the legal formalities for shifting shopkeepers on the banks of Dal Lake near the Nishat garden to the site adjacent to the parking lot. While touring the northern area of Foreshore Road, the Committee Members directed the authorities to establish the nature of a large tract of land presently under the control of LAWDA and develop tourist places like parks and nurseries there in accordance with the norms. Chairman Hakim Yasin said the Committee will review the pace of the work on the directives issued today after 15 days.
