JAMMU: CM Mehbooba expressing pain at Dal situation and her decision to monitor herself cleaning up of the lake periodically has awakened hope of the public sharing hopelessness of restoring and securing pristine glory of ‘pearl in crown of Kashmir’. The crying need is not to bemoan but save dying Dal Lake. For conservation of Dal and Nigeen lakes in Srinagar, J&K Lakes and Waterways Development Authority, vide Govt. Order no. 117 of HUD dated April 11, 1997, an autonomous body was created. Even after spending over Rs 500 crores in last over a decade the situation is painful. S.S. Bijral former IGP and BJP State Spokesperson said there are little chances that ‘pearl in the crown of kashmir’ Dal Lake is famously known, shall be conserved for future generations.
Dal Lake, second largest in state is divided into four basins: Small Dal, Big Dal, Gagribal, and Nigeen. It has a shore area of 15.5 Sq. Kms and covers 22-24 sq. kms including floating garden of lotus bloom. Observing that three projects: 1) National Lake Conservation & Management costing Rs 298.76 started in 2005; 2) Conservation & Management Programme ( Prime Minister Reconstruction Programme) costing Rs 356 crores started in 2010; 3) Rehabilitation Of Families Dislocated From Dal & Nigeen Project costing Rs 416 crores for development of site at Rakh-i-Arth, are funding this vital national programme, Bijral said this programme instead of benefitting nation, is benefitting selected few. Cases registered with SVO after raids conducted of LAWDA offices confirm ground realities.
Former IGP Bijral said Dal would be saved only when people see ‘dying Dal’ staring into their eyes and govt. awakens to its responsibility of sparing society from disastrous ecological consequences. Bijral paying kudos to students of Department of Tourism Studies of Central University Kashmir who held a street play ‘Aakhin Naad By Dal’ for public awareness said educated youth should lead the masses in society/nation building programmes.