Ahansar Lake goes Dal way, LAWDA sleeping
Tanveen Kawoosa (Kashmir Monitor)
Srinagar: Like all major Lakes in the valley, the famous Ahansar Lake is reeling under severe water pollution thereby hastening its journey towards death, warn ecologists. Despite being equally scenic as Manasbal and Wullar, the Lake does not seem to be the concern of any government agency. The Lake is situated in the flood plains of river Jhelum about 26km north – west of Srinagar in Safapora, Sumbal.
This shallow lake with maximum depth of 5.5m derives water mainly from springs spread over its basin. Over the last few decades the Lake has been losing its glory, yet it has not invited the attention of the Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA) or any other government agency. According to sources, there is no conservation plan for the preservation of this Lake.
While presenting worrisome picture of the Lake, a research study conducted by Centre for Research Studies, University of Kashmir, states that the lake is fast turning into environmental nuisance owing to immense eutrophication(ageing of water body with high Biological Oxygen demand (BOD). The lake is likely to meet the same fate as that of Manasbal and Wullar. Tons of sewage from human habitations spews in to the Lake thereby affecting its aquatic life. Run-offs from agricultural fields, untreated domestic sewage are another major source of plant nutrients in the Lake thus disturbing its ecological balance. The nutrient pollution remains the most serious problem in aquatic bodies’ worldwide. The excessive growth of algae leads to oxygen depletion and kills fish species.
In absence of proper sewerage system, solid waste is directly flushed into the Lake. Peripheral springs contributing to the Lake are being used by locals for washing utensils and clothes, the report adds. The study further points out that there is gradual decrease in the water depth which is attributed to silt and garbage deposits in the Lake. The present limnological (study of organisms living in water) study reveals that the Lake is showing persistent rise in pollution level as shown by the higher concentration of nitrogen and phosphorous in it.