Kashmir’s iconic Dal Lake gets new life as open waters widen to 20.3 sq km after rejuvenation

The open expanse of Kashmir’s iconic Dal Lake has increased to more than 203 sq kms after one-third of the lake has been rejuvenated and vast areas cleared from lilies and weeds, said Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday.

The LG joined the Dal Lake cleanliness drive as a part of the ongoing ‘Sewa Parv’ in Srinagar on Sunday morning. He called upon citizens to preserve lakes, rivers, and other water bodies through community involvement.

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“Our natural resources remind us to learn from the wrongs we have committed in the past. We must respect the delicate balance of nature, and concerted efforts should be made to clean our lakes and rivers,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

He emphasised the need to synergise economic development with environmental resources.

“Growth cannot be one-sided. Encroachment, pollution, climate change, and over-extraction are posing a significant threat to our rivers and lakes. Addressing the major challenges of rapid depletion of natural resources and degradation of our ecology should be the topmost priority. Economic growth and ecological integrity must be integrated into government policy. Lakes and rivers are essential lifelines for humanity, and citizens must preserve them through community involvement,” he said.

The Lieutenant Governor commended the dedicated efforts of the administration, citizens, the Lake Conservation and Management Authority, and voluntary organisations to restore the lakes, rivers, and other water bodies to their original state.

“During the last five years, work on the preservation of Dal-Nigeen Lakes and the catchment area has been undertaken in a mission mode.

The Lieutenant Governor said the numerous projects initiated by the Lake Conservation and Management Authority are also transforming the lives of Dal residents. He said a major initiative under the AMRUT scheme is underway to connect all houseboats to sewage treatment plants.

“A new sewage treatment plant project worth Rs 306 crore is in the pipeline. The process of launching the Integrated Management of Dal and Nigeen Ecosystem Project, a Rs 212 crore initiative, has begun under the Prime Minister’s Development Package. This project will not only transform the lives of Dal residents but also boost tourism. The ongoing year-round campaign of the Lake Conservation and Management Authority, with significant volunteer participation, to conserve Dal and Nigeen, is engaging people in cleanliness drives and conservation efforts,” the Lieutenant Governor added.

The Lieutenant Governor observed that growing awareness of environmental issues in people’s daily lives is influencing change in their attitude.

The Lieutenant Governor also called upon officials, educational institutions, and government and private institutions to ensure that the river and lake cleaning campaign—and the momentum generated during ‘Sewa Pakhawada’—fosters a long-term ‘swachh drive’.