Mehbooba pushes for cleaning, de-weeding of Dal lake

Expressing concern over the pollution levels and quantity of weeds having come up in Dal Lake, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today directed for speeding up the conservation and de-weeding activities in the world famous lake.
Mehbooba said she would be monitoring the cleaning up of the lake periodically.
The chief minister gave these directions during a visit to the interiors of the lake this morning during which she took stock of the weeds, algal growth and pollution having cropped up over the years.
She enquired about the various measures being taken for controlling the algal growth and dumping of the weed material.

Mehbooba was informed that the Lakes and Waterways Developmental Authority (LAWDA) has already intensified de- weeding efforts in the lake and at present 500 labourers have been pressed for the manual de-weeding.
During the last two months, the chief minister was informed that nine lakh cubic metres of weeds have been removed from the lakh, rendering a large area of waters weed free.

Mehbooba was informed that two studies at the Sher-e- Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology - Kashmir (SKUAST-K) have been commissioned for proper dumping and decomposition of weed material besides a biological solution for arresting the algal growth in the lake is also in the experimentation stage.

She directed urgent de-weeding of the Ashai Bagh track of the lake and cleaning of exit channels at Rainawari, Nawpora and Mir Behree for movement of clean waters through the lake.
The chief minister, during the visit, also took stock of the working of the sewerage treatment plants and machines deployed for weed removal in the lake.
Later addressing a function organised by the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), Mehbooba appealed to the people to ensure cleanliness of their surroundings, villages and mohallas.
She said every religion and social set up has laid great emphasis on maintaining cleanliness in the society.

The chief minister said maintenance of clean environs has been accorded a sacred duty in every religion.
Cleanliness is (next to) Godliness , she said, adding that even in Islam, the concept of 'wudhu' (ablution before prayers) is based on the principle of ensuring cleanliness of the individual and the society.
Mehbooba complimented the workers of the SMC and other civic bodies in the state for working round-the-clock to make the streets, lanes, parks and other public places clean for the people.
"Your job is no less important than a doctor, engineer or an officer and for this all appreciation to you," she said.

The chief minister said she was saddened to see the situation of the Dal lake.
She expressed satisfaction that many districts in the state are going to be declared open defecation free by early next year.
The chief minister, on the occasion, awarded the best performing workers of the SMC.