SRINAGAR: A Legislative Assembly Committee on the environment today visited Dal Lake and its catchment area to get firsthand observation of the issues concerning it. Led by the Committee Chairman Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, the visiting team also included legislators Mohammad Yousuf Bhat, Bashir Ahmed Dar, Usman Abdul Majid, Ishfaq Ahmed Sheikh, Shamima Firdous. V-C Lawda Dr Hafiz Shah, expert Er Zahoor Ahmed Chaat as special invitee and other officials from LAWDA were accompanying the legislators during the tour.
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The members had a detailed tour of the Dal Lake where they witnessed ongoing cleaning of Lilly patches was carried out, both manually and mechanically. The Committee recommended western foreshore for delineation of the western boundary to prevent ingress from that side. They also recommended necessary work to be done on Badshahi canal which will add fresh water to the Nigeen lake. The committee also recommended to look for alternate options for water resources in order to reduce the strain on lake water due to withdrawal of water for Nishat( 20 MGD) and Pakribal( 4MGD) filtration plant.
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The Committee also recommended rejuvenation of Sharaab Kuel and withdrawal of water from Sindh extension canal in order to augment fresh water supplies to the lake along Boulvard. To turn the on-going cleaning process more result-oriented, the Committee recommended speedy funding for relocation of inhabitants and houseboats.
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The Committee strongly recommended procuring more lake cleaning machines, besides, regularization of consolidated employees working in LAWDA and increasing their daily wages. On the occasion, V-C LAWDA briefed the Committee about the operations going on in the Dal lake to regain its lost glory. Dr Shah also informed that committee that besides, cleaning machines more than 1300 laborers are currently employed in cleaning operation of Dal lake. The committee also visited the Ganderbal and listened to the issues of Sand extractors.