J-K govt takes steps to rid Dal, Nageen lakes of weed menace

The Jammu and Kashmir government will procure weed harvesters, skimmers and amphibious excavators to give a new lease of life to the famous Dal and Nageen lakes battling the menace of weeds.

Dal Lake is situated in Srinagar--summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir. The urban lake is the second largest in the state and is integral to tourism. It is called the 'Jewel in the crown of Kashmir'.

Nageen Lake is a mildly eutrophic lake located in Srinagar. It is sometimes considered a part of the Dal Lake and is connected to it via a narrow strait.

The housing and urban development department of the state government has issued orders for floating of global tenders for procurement and hiring of 60 machines and boats by Jammu and Kashmir's Lakes and Water Ways Development Authority (LAWDA) by March, 2019, an official said.

LAWDA should procure lake clearing machines for the current year in order to conserve Dal and Nageen lakes, said K B Aggarwal, Financial Commissioner, Housing and Urban Development Department.

The procurement of lake clearing machines and equipment for four basins of Dal and Nageen lakes through global tendering include eight weed harvesters along with barges, eight skimmers, eight amphibious excavators, 12