Kashmir’s Lakes: Where Greed and Environmental Negligence Swim Together

Yes, LAWDA is corrupt and highly inefficient, but have you seen those illegal homes built by houseboat owners behind their houseboats in Dal Lake on improperly reclaimed land along with a mobile phone tower?

SITUATION HOWEVER MAY IMPROVE AS HOUSEBOAT OWNERS BEGIN TO REALIZE THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE IMPENDING TRAGEDY:

Srinagar, February 20: Hundreds of houseboat owners today took to the streets demanding that all the water bodies in the Kashmir Valley should be handed over to any foreign company for their conservation.

Marching through different streets from famous Nehru Park in the Dal Lake to civil lines here, the houseboat owners of Dal, Nigeen, Chinar Bagh and river Jehlum alleged that Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA) had failed to restore the pristine glory of the water bodies, particularly Dal Lake. ”Hand over the water bodies to any foreign company before it is too late,” they demanded.

The LAWDA had completely failed to deliver what was expected from it, they said, adding it was responsible for the degradation of the Dal and Nigeen lakes since it took over the control of the water bodies.

They also rejected the Socio-Economic Survey conducted by the Urban Environmental Engineering Department (UEED) in 1986, identifying a number of residential or other structures existing in the Dal basin. ”The survey conducted has now become irrelevant as the demographic index with regards to the family units and the size of population of Dal dwellers has gone up since,’’ they said.

Demanding immediate stop of dismantling houses and other structures in the Lake by LAWDA and other agencies, they said the entire population living there should first be shifted and rehabilitated elsewhere. More than 3.5 lakh trees and hundreds of illegal houses and other structures were razed to ground by the authorities in the Dal Lake and Chinar Bagh during the past one year.

HOUSEBOAT OWNERS MADE THE FOLLOWING ANNOUNCEMENT FOR THE RALLY:

• Demand identification and demarcation of territorial limits of Dal and Nigeen Lake as the same is in consonance with the directions issued by the Hon’ble High Court of Jammu and Kashmir.
• LAWDA should come up with a model of the Dal Lake as it should look after its restoration which should be made public in print and electronic media. The much hyped master plan of which the conservation of Dal, Nigeen, River Jehulm and Chunti Koul is a part has become redundant since these were designated as protected water bodies by law.
• Immediate rehabilitation of all such families who are willing to shift from Dal, Nigeen, River Jehlum and Chinar Bagh voluntarily.
• Immediate ban on use of all polythene and plastic material in an around the water bodies. The orders of the Hon’ble High Court against the import of this hazardous and harmful material to the valley though in place or not being implemented in letter and spirit. We suggest that a mobile judge be deputed who will monitor the complaints of these orders by law enforcing agencies of the state.
• Immediate cessation of dredging along the western foreshore road of Dal Lake by LAWDA as this has plugged many natural springs found on the lake bed. Similarly, filling of land with so excavated mud and slush in the area under dredging by the authority be stopped forthwith.
• Install drainage systems with septic tanks which will cater to all the houseboats.
  Plug all live drainage pipes around the peripheries of our water bodies which are dumping harmful effluents round the clock.
• Immediate widening of backwater channels of Dal Lake, leading to Rainawari and Naidyar to make these functional again for a smooth movement of boat traffic.
• Restore the former needle type system of water gates at Dalgate, Nallah Amir-Khan and at Brari Nambal immediately as the iron shatters/gates have adversely affected and impeded the normal outflow of these water reservoirs.
• If all else fails and options run out to preserve our water bodies, we demand that their conservation be handed over to some private firm or to a foreign agency or agencies who have the requisite expertise and technology for accomplishing the job rather than allow it lingering before it is too late.
• All participants to bring along with them banners or placards, if any, in the proposed rally.

It is a historical facts that Houseboats and the conservation of Dal, Nigeen, Chunti Kul and River Jehlum have a strong correlation and same is, therefore, indispensable. As such, all houseboat, prepared to fully cooperate with conservation plan. For that, the Houseboat Owners Association has more suggestions we shall be made public in due course of time.
Similar rallies will be organized same day in national capital and other Western cities to highlight the importance of preserving our endangered water bodies.
So, with an unfailing commitment and sincerity purpose we appeal to you to join your hands with us and show your resolve for the preservation and conservation of our heritage for our future generations.
Contact Numbers are:
+91-0194-2450326 Mobile: 09906735715
E-Mail: hboassociation@locatorbiz.com
Mohd. Azim Tomal, Chairman
Houseboat Owners Association