The state that enjoys per-capita consumption rate among the highest in India can afford to contribute finances towards societal issues like environmental degradation
Operation Clean Up for Nageen Lake Begins
Srinagar: The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries Saturday offered to adopt the Brari Nambal lagoon to help clean it up. This was a announced by the President of The KCCI, Dr Mubeen Shah at the inaugural function of Operation Clean up organized by the Nageen Lake Conservation Organization (NLCO).
Principal Secretary to Chief Minster, Khurshid A Ganai who was the chief guest on the occasion appreciated the work done by NLCO and said, Saving the environment is not the job of the government alone, it requires a joint effort on part of all sections of the society from the School children to business men to religious leaders. This is what NLCO has achieved. I visited the peripheries and Pokhri-bal and the NLCO has done a commendable work by removing the polythenes from natural springs in the area. Referring to the failure of the previous ban on polythene which had been put in place by the SMC, he said. The previous ban failed because there were no alternatives available. Polythene cannot be banned successfully until and unless there are alternatives available. There need to be effective alternatives like Jute bags and paper bags to replace them.
The Registrar of Kashmir University, Prof. Syed Fayaz, who was representing the university at the function said, The Dal and Nigeen lakes are our neighbours and we will extend all support to help save these lakes. The Kashmir University has always taken a pro active role in saving the environment he said and added that KU will support all initiatives which are taken in this regard. Our VC Prof Riyaz Punjabi has already banned polythene in the campus and we are hopeful to take more steps in future which will help save our valuable heritage, he informed the audience . He informed the audience that Kashmir University has already formed a core group to save the precious body of the Dal lake and the group which has closely worked with LAWDAÂ is to submit its report to Vice chancellor soon, we will do every thing to save Dal lake which is our identity, he said.
The function had been organized for last ten days. The volunteers from National service scheme. Directorate of sports and physical education , and members of literary and cultural club participated in today event besides many schools and collages of the valley .
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Mubeen Shah said, we should make countries like Singapore our model, where nothing goes waste and waste management is an industry in itself. The need of the hour is to emulate them and start industries which deal with waste. We also need to encourage industries which can provide us with an alternatives to polythene like paper bag or cloth bag industries. Mufti Nazir Hashmi spoke about the importance of preserving the environment in light of Islamic values and teachings.
Commissioner, Srinagar Municipality, Khawaja Farooq Renzoo said. The SMC has played a very a pro-active role in helping clean up the Nigeen and we had involved the full team this time. But we need full support from civil society only then can we change the city and make it among the best in the world He further said, If we can clean up Nigeen Lake in these few days we can save even the Anchar Lake. All it needs is efforts from our side
Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, who was the guest of honor on the occasion said that banning polythene is a matter of will, People who take refuge by saying that banning polythene will increase unemployment need to be told that even narcotics supports a large number of people but that does not justify its existence.
(Kashmir Observer)