SRINAGAR,SEPTEMBER 3 (KNS): Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana, Wednesday chaired a meeting to review the prevailing pollution concerns in Dal Lake and assess measures being undertaken for its protection, conservation and restoration.

The meeting was attended by Vice Chairman, J&K Lakes Conservation and Management Authority (LCMA); Chief Engineer, PHE/I&FC Kashmir; Chief Engineer, UEED Kashmir; Regional Director, J&K Pollution Control Committee, Kashmir; and Superintending Engineer, Hydraulic Circle, Srinagar.
Emphasising that protection of Dal Lake is a shared responsibility of all concerned agencies as well as the public, the Minister directed the authorities to adopt a coordinated and sustained approach to control pollution and safeguard the ecological health of the lake. He stressed the need for both immediate interventions and long-term measures to address the various sources of pollution.

“Dal Lake is an invaluable ecological, cultural and tourism asset of Kashmir. Its protection is a shared responsibility, and all concerned agencies must work together to control pollution and ensure its long-term conservation and restoration,” Javed Rana said Dal Lake is one of Kashmir’s most iconic water bodies and a major attraction for tourists visiting the Valley. It also has significant ecological importance, supporting aquatic biodiversity and fish species. The Minister underscored the need to preserve the lake’s natural ecosystem and ensure that increasing human activity does not adversely affect its ecological balance.

During the meeting, the officers briefed the Minister that sewage water is being properly treated through the existing arrangements before it flows into Dal Lake.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelThey further informed that, under AMRUT, a 30 MLD sewage treatment plant is presently under construction and is expected to be completed within the next two years. The facility will further strengthen wastewater treatment and help reduce pollution pressure on the lake.

The meeting also reviewed various short-term measures being undertaken by the authorities. These include regular removal of encroachments, daily collection and removal of waste, deweeding operations and conversion of aquatic weeds into bio-fertilisers.

The authorities also informed the Minister that proper enforcement measures are being carried out regularly to check activities contributing to pollution and degradation of Dal Lake.
Javed Rana directed the concerned authorities to further strengthen pollution-control measures and ensure effective coordination among all agencies involved in the management of the lake. He called for regular monitoring of water quality and identification of pollution hotspots so that corrective measures could be taken promptly.

The Minister emphasised that the conservation of Dal Lake requires a multi-pronged approach, encompassing wastewater treatment, solid-waste management, removal of encroachments, deweeding, pollution monitoring and strict enforcement.

He also stressed the importance of sustained public awareness and participation, particularly among communities and stakeholders living around and dependent upon the lake, to make conservation efforts more effective and enduring.

He directed the concerned departments to remain closely engaged and ensure that both short-term measures and long-term interventions translate into tangible improvement in the ecological health of Dal Lake.(KNS)