Works going on to restore navigation in Dal interiors: LCMA
Irfan Tramboo
Srinagar, Nov 3: The lily extraction in the world-famous Dal Lake is fast nearing completion with the authorities today stating that within one month all the remaining patches will be cleared which will further enhance the hydrology of the lake.
Officials told Excelsior that the majority of the areas which were lily-infested have been cleared and currently extraction work on a few patches is on and the same is expected to be completed soon.
“The lily extraction is on and we had two patches spread over 0.6 square kilometers at the back of Char Chinari, half of it has been almost cleared and the rest will take nearly a month or so,” Dr. Bashir Ahmad Bhat, VC J&K Lake Conservation and Management Authority (LCMA) told Excelsior.
Earlier, the LCMA had set a target of completing the extraction by October; however, the deadline has not been met and the same has now witnessed a delay of one more month.
“We had set a target of completing the process by October, however, it took more time than expected, but we are on it, aiming to complete the lily extraction at the identified spots by next month,” he said.
It is to be noted here that the rest of the spots, which were lily infested, have been cleared, especially the side at Sofi Mohalla from Ashai Bagh which is connected to the dal interiors and was in dire need of cleaning.
“Apart from the Char Chinari patch, there is a patch in the Hazratbal basin which is lying pending as of now; few of the machines have been deployed there as well; the works are on and the same is expected to complete soon,” Dr. Bhat said.
He noted that they are ensuring to clean the rest of the patches quickly, because, he said that lily recedes particularly in winters making it difficult to spot. “Keeping that in view, we are trying our level best to clear all the remaining patches well in time.”
Pertinent to mention here that the Government has been pitching hard for clearing the lily from Dal Lake and in this regard, constant directions are being issued to the concerned to pace up the work and ensure the rejuvenation of the identified lily-infested patches for the overall development of the Dal apart from the setting up of STPs and arresting the discharge of sewage into the Lake.
Concerning the rejuvenation of the Dal interiors, the LCMA is carrying out focused works aimed at the rejuvenation of the area and particularly restoring the navigation routes which are said to be important for improving the hydrology of the lake.
“In the internal Dal, work is on at several navigational channels; we have nearly 15 machines stationed in the interiors of the Dal Lake which are clearing the navigational routes,” the officials said.
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