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| Dal Lake residents protest relocation | | | EARLY TIMES REPORT
SRINAGAR, Sept 23- The famous Dal Lake is fading with each passing day. The lake which sustains the livelihood of more than 50,000 people has shrunk from 75sq km in 1200 AD to 7 sq Km in 2008.All the projects initiated for the restoration of its pristine glory are shelved half a way due to corruption and lack of commitment on the part of government. More so, Dal dwellers are at loggerheads with government officials over relocation and the preservation of the Lake has become a complex mess.
Population estimates show that 50,000 people live inside the houseboats. Every month sewage and raw effluents (8.877metric tons of nitrogen and 5.353 metric tons of phosphorus) from immediate catchments are directly flushed into the Lake thereby resulting in the luxuriant weed growth.
In addition illegal encroachments, floating gardens, land reclamation, massive constructions and unchecked siltation and weeds, have converted this aquatic glory to an environmental nuisance.
The Jammu and Kashmir Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA) claims that it has taken some steps like shifting of colonies, de-weeding and removing of floating gardens from important stretches.
Sources in the state government say huge finances are needed to relocate and rehabilitate Dal dwellers. They blame the central government for not releasing the adequate funds. The central government blames the state authority for mismanaging the money and going slow.
Despite High court orders, the LAWDA has shown lackluster attitude in dismantling the illegal structures along the banks of the Dal Lake.
LAWDA claims that more than 1200 kanals of encroached land has been retrieved and approximately around 1200 families of Dal-dwellers rehabilitated in housing colonies.
Dal dwellers on the other hand assert that displacement is an assault on their identity.
"Water means for us what land means to you. Our centuries old life style is threatened owing to relocation. We do not desire land and colonies; Water is life for us," ---- the common refrain from house boat owners.
The Dal residents claim that they are not against the beautification of the land .However, the fear of displacement and uncertain future has thrown them into dire straits. Relocation for them can spell doom as it means loss of control over their resources.
Further, the entire onus of spoiling Lake cannot be placed on Hanji community as sprawling hotels and restaurants across the Boulevard are equally polluting the Lake. The government must face this hard fact and catch the real culprits. |
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