Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, May 15: The State High Court today expressed serious concern about the flowing of huge quantity of sewage into Dal Lake and observed that it is detrimental and negative for the ecology and environment of the water body.
Court has been informed that millions of liters of sewage is produced from various components including inhabitants, House Boats etc which is not treated and, thus, flows into the lake.
“Another major concern is sewage flown to the lake. We are informed that approximately 44.2 millions of liters of untreated sewage is generated and runs to the lake causing serious damage to the ecosystem of the lake”, observed the Division Bench of Chief Justice Badar Durez Ahmad and Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey.
Court directed the authorities of LAWDA to take the water samples at different points of the Lake and inform the court after analysis of the samples of the water quality.. “The same shall be placed on record by next date”, DB directed.
Court also sought aerial survey as well as photographs of the lake by next date to enable the court about the shrinkage of the lake till date. Court also directed the authorities for placing the latest map of the lake before the court by next date.
Executive Engineer of Engineering Wing of LAWDA, Basharat Ahmad, who was accompanied by VC LAWDA, apprised the court about all these facts.
Court enquired about the inhabitants of the lake and EE submitted that about 50000 persons are living in the lake. “Whether these are legal or illegal”, court questioned.
“Some are legal and some are illegal”, the EE replied. “Illegal have to be evicted and provide proper sewage treatment to those who are in legal possession till their shifting”, Court said.
The EE also submitted that besides these two lakes (Dal & Nigeen) there are other lakes like Khushal Sar, Gilsar and Anchar Sar which are in a very bad shape as only two lakes (Dal & Nigeen) are under National conservation programme. Court directed to keep focus on all these lakes.
Court during the proceedings of the matter also enquired about the drudging of the lake and observed that unless drudging didn’t take place, more silt will occupy the lake resulting into another floods. “Give us the factual position of drudging”, court observed.
On rehabilitation and shifting of Dal dwellers, court repeated that huge amount (Rs 416 crores) has been released by the Centre but you (LAWDA) are not spending the amount. There are already directions, court said about the relocation of Dal dwellers and House Boats.
Status report be filed also in this regard by next date which the court fixed on coming Monday.
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