Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 26: Senior BJP leader Chander Mohan Sharma called on Minister of PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control, Sham Lal Sharma and demanded that the siphoning of water from Mansar lake be stopped immediately.
The BJP leader was leading a delegation of Mansar Bachao Andolan in his capacity as chairman of the Andolan.
The Minister assured the delegation that siphoning of water from Mansar lake will be immediately stopped.
He also informed the delegation that scheme for supplying of fresh water to the inhabitants of village adjoining to the Mansar lake under Government of India scheme will become functional within days.
The Mansar Bachao Andolan is agitating for the last five years demanding stoppage of siphoning the water of lake and use of the same for drinking purposes. The practice has caused the loss of various creatures living in water and also the water of the lake was declared unhygienic for drinking purposes by the scientists.
The Andolan besides this demand is also demanding comprehensive development of Mansar and Surinsar lakes as tourist destinations without harming the sanctity of these two places as religious shrines.
Capt (retd) Bal Krishan and Mohinder Sharma were the other members of deputation.