Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday said the Dal Lake here is cleaner due to the conservation efforts undertaken in the last five years and underlined the need to synergise economic development with environmental resources.
More than one-third of the water-body has been rejuvenated, with its open expanse increased for the first time to over 20 Sq Km, he said.
Sinha joined the Dal Lake cleanliness drive as part of the ‘Sewa Parv’, an official press release informed.
“As part of Sewa Parv, joined Dal Lake Cleanliness Drive. During last five years, work for preservation of Dal- Nigeen Lake and in the catchment area has been undertaken in a mission mode. Dal lake is cleaner & attracting large numbers of domestic & international visitors,” he said on X.
He said more than one-third of the lake has been rejuvenated.
“Vast areas were cleared from Lilies & open expanse of Dal Lake has been increased for the first time to more than 20.3 Sq Km,” he said.
The LG also felicitated the ‘Swachhagrahis’ for their valuable contribution to the cleanliness drive.
Sinha called upon citizens to preserve lakes, rivers and other water-bodies through community involvement.
“Our natural resources are reminding us to learn the lessons 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,” he said.
The LG emphasised the need to synergise economic development with environmental resources.
“Growth cannot be one-sided. Encroachment, pollution, climate change, and over-extraction is 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 topmost priority,” he said.
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.
Sinha said the numerous projects initiated by the Lake Conservation and Management Authority (LCMA) are also transforming the lives of Dal residents.
A major initiative under the AMRUT scheme is underway to connect all houseboats to sewage treatment plants, he said.
“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,” he said.
Sinha said the ongoing year-round campaign of LCMA, with significant volunteer participation, to conserve Dal and Nigeen, is engaging people with cleanliness drive and conservation efforts.
He observed that growing awareness of environmental issues in people’s daily life is influencing change in their attitude, and called upon officials, educational institutions, schools, government and private institutions to ensure that the river and lake cleaning campaign and momentum generated during Sewa Pakhawada foster a long-term swachh drive.
