Srinagar: On World Environment Day, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Pandurang K. Pole while expressing concern over the ‘environmental degradation’ said that human race will be at risk in case there is further damage to the environment.
Talking to the media on the sidelines of an event vis-à-vis restoration of Khushalsar and Gilsar lakes, Pole said there is a need to restore ‘classical Kashmir’ as it used to be during the earlier decades. He said the environment has depleted to the extent that it could put the human race at risk.
Accompanied by Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Mohammad Aijaz Assad and other higher-ups of the administration, Pole took a ‘shikara’ (boat) ride from Pokhribal via Nallah Amir Khan to reach Gilsar and Khushalsar to take the first-hand appraisal of the various restoration projects.
“This is a fact that we are ourselves responsible for the damage caused to our environment, our existence will be at risk if we further damage it,” Pole asserted.
He said the administration has taken several measures to restore the pristine glory of Khushalsar and Gilsar lakes which he said have suffered damages due to human interventions and greed. Pole said allied departments and civil-society groups have for the last two months been working tirelessly to restore the bio-network of the two lakes.
Appreciating work done by LAWDA, SMC, F&IC and NLCO jointly for restoration of these water bodies in the past two months, the Div Com said their work is quite visible. He instructed the concerned shall continue the work in full gear to restore the pristine glory of these water bodies.
He said that Government shall carry out the entire revival work in Gilsar lake and parameter work of Khushalsar, while as NLCO and Community has been doing muck clearance and restoration in interiors of Khushalsar lake. Similarly, restoration work of Pakhribal and Nallah Amir Khan is being carried out by LAWDA.
Div Com appealed to people to stop littering and throwing garbage in water bodies leading to their degradation which poses a great threat to human existence.
Stressing on community participation, the Div Com directed concerned to aware and sensitize people on the importance of conserving natural resources in Kashmir.
He said that SMC has doubled the garbage collection efficiency in Srinagar City.
In the past two months, the daily waste collection has gone up from 350 tonnes/day to 620 tonnes a day.
The sweeping is done in two shifts morning and evening in the market areas. SMC has been lifting the muck and garbage removed from Dal Lake and other water bodies. The garbage and muck taken out from Khushalsar and Gilsar lakes is being lifted on daily basis using JCBs and heavy vehicles.
Under Smart City Mission, the rejuvenation of Gilsar Lake has also been taken up. The Irrigation & Flood Control Water Master as well earthmoving machinery has been put in place which is removing the garbage, muck and weed from Khushalsar and Gilsar lakes.
Similarly, LAWDA has also put all men and machinery on the job and intensified its cleaning and restoration work of water bodies in Srinagar. The work done in past two months has brought tangible results in the restoration of our water bodies.
During the tour, the various public delegation called upon Div Com and raised their demands and issues with him. The Div Com assured them that all their genuine issues shall be addressed on priority.
