Cooperate to conserve Dal Lake: J-K Govt

"It is the responsibility of all stakeholders to cooperate with the government machinery for the conservation of Dal Lake which plays a major role in attracting tourists from all over the world", Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand said addressing a meeting here.

The meeting was convened last evening and discussed various issues related to sanitation and conservation of the Lake, relocating Dal dwellers, sewerage and drainage problems, facilities to tourists, smooth functioning of street lights, widening of various city roads, including Boulevard road along the banks of the Lake, an official spokesman said today.

Stressing the need for maintaining peace, Chand said, "peace is imperative for not only overall development of the state but also boosting its tourism sector which provides a lot of employment opportunities to the educated unemployed youth".

"We are hopeful that the tourist arrival in the state this season will be double of last year", he said.

The deputy Chief Minister said relocating of the Dal dwellers to the newly established colony was underway and the land vacated by them would be included with Dal Lake.

He also said Rs 15 crore was spent for a modern drainage system in Srinagar city to solve its water logging problem.

Earlier, Chand conducted a tour of Sriangar city, including Lal Chowk and Budshah Chowk, and interacted with traders, senior citizens and shopkeepers here. PTI MIJ TA ESB