Dal lake needs to be preserved

Dal Lake, long known for its pristine landscape around the world and for attracting numerous nature lovers and poets in the past, is facing the danger to its romantic identity.

By Suhail Ahmed

Srinagar, Nov.27 : Dal Lake, long known for its pristine landscape around the world and for attracting numerous nature lovers and poets in the past, is facing the danger to its romantic identity.

Described by many as Kashmiris' pride, the Dal Lake is threatened by pollution and encroachments of varied types.

Tourists reckon that Dal lake's survival is vital for anyone visiting the State, whereas the locals have been appealing to the Government to conserve the lake since it is the precious source of their livelihood.

"Wild grass has grown in the entire area. The dirty water and waste material of the nearby villages and hotels come straight into Dal. Unless the Government imposes rigid restrictions on these activities, the matter will not be solved," said Suraj Singh, a tourist.

Among the worst hit due to pollution are the boatmen of Shikaras, the floating houses.

"The situation of Dal is deteriorating. Tourism in the valley is also dependent upon Dal Lake. There is perhaps no lake as fascinating as the Dal Lake," said Ashiq Ahmad, a Shikara owner at the Dal Lake.

According to Mir Naseem, Vice Chairman Lakes and Waterways Development Authority, residents living on the Dal Lake should to be held responsible for the lake's condition.

"People living in the lake are responsible. There has been a lot of debate on whether they should remain there or not. But, ultimately, it was decided that they should be allowed. owever, it was also felt that their presence in the lake was also not durable because they live in their small islands, 58 islands are already there," said Mir Naseem, Vice Chairman Lakes and Waterways Development Authority.

"They start cultivating there and keep on encroaching into the water bodies. So, the encroachment by the people is there. This is one of the major reasons for the condition of the lake," Naseem added.

Weeds have engulfed a large area of the Dal Lake and one of the biggest worries happens to be Azolla, which has been opined as the red water fern harmful for eco-system of Dal Lake by experts.

Azolla blocks the sunlight from reaching the flora and fauna in the lake and ultimately causes their decay. This pest of a weed, new to the Dal Lake, is believed to breed quickly in waters which have high-level of nutrients due to flow of sewage.

It is said that with the rise in temperature, the Azolla spores would undergo germination in early spring and it will be difficult to control them at that stage.

Dal Lake, that was spread over 75 square kilometres in the 13th century, has today reduced to a mere 11 square kilometres area that was 25 kilometres in the early 1920s.Presently, four square kilometres of the lake's area is made up of marshy land or floating gardens called Raadh in vernacular.

The floating gardens are solid landmasses, which have been created by putting soil on dried weeds in the water.

The city's sewage flows into the Lake and human refuse from houseboats is also discharged into it, which has resulted in deterioration of the lake's water quality and in the snuffing out of its vast aquatic life.

ANI