NLCO seeks dredging for effective cleaning
Irfan Tramboo
SRINAGAR, Aug 18: Leaving the cleaning process mid-way, the authorities have, all of a sudden pulled out the cleaning machine from the Gilsar Lake in view of an ‘exigency’ that has popped up along Jhelum.
The locals said that the cleaning process has been left halfway as the Irrigation & Flood Control (I&FC) Department lifted its machine known as ‘Water Master’ back, bringing the process to a grinding halt.
The sudden move has left the locals and the concerned departments involved in the process aghast who said that the cleaning and restoration process will take a back seat.
It has been learned that there has been no substantial progress as the cleaning process was already affected due to the non-functioning of the machine in the lake for several weeks soon after the cleaning of the Gilsar was started.
Those associated with the cleaning of the lake said that after the nominal superficial cleaning of the lake, the machine has been pulled out to be used somewhere else for few days.
The locals even protested against the move of the authorities and said that lifting the machines could affect the overall cleaning process of the water bodies that was going on for the last several months now without fail.
However, as the people agitated, the I&FC Department promised the people that they will shift the machine within the next 5 days keeping in view the exigency that has popped up at the Shadipora breach site along Jhelum. It was only after the assurance from the department that the locals allowed the department to lift back the machine.
Officials said that the circumstances at the Shadipora breach are compelling as the safety of the life and property is involved while assuring that they will try to complete the work at the breach site maximum within 5 days, failing which they will carry out alternate arrangements, but will make sure that the machine is sent back to Gilsar for cleaning.
On the other side, about the effective cleaning of the Gilsar Lake, dredging is being termed as the key factor in the effective cleaning of the water bodies which has not been, so far, carried out by the authorities.
Manzoor Ahmad Wangnoo who is heading the Nigeen Lake Conservation Organization (NLCO) said that dredging is the key to restoration and without it, no restoration is possible as it will remove floating gardens and clew the landmass.
“Without a barge/pontoon no substantial cleansing could be achieved, the same needs to be provided to IFC for a comprehensive cleaning; the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir has been doing exceptional work with regard to the cleaning and restoration of the water bodies and expect more from him,” he said.
There is also the issue of accumulation of the solid waste near the Gilsar gate and for that, the locals are demanding the installation of iron mesh so that the waste is prevented from getting flushed into the Gilsar.
The flushing of the waste in the Khushal Sar, the stakeholders said, is potent of ruining the progress achieved so far with regard to the cleaning of the water bodies.
NLCO Chairman also underlined the need for restoration of around 7 springs in the Gilsar while adding that if restored, the springs can give new life to the Lake.
Also, while the cleaning process was on, the locals reported that various individuals around the lake are carrying out the landfilling and are resorting to encroachments, suggesting a need for immediate demarcation to keep such elements at bay.
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