Irfan Tramboo
Srinagar, July 26: After restoring the Khushal Sar and Gilsar lakes in Srinagar, the Nigeen Lake Conservation Organization (NLCO) has restored at least 4 springs in the Watlar area of Ganderbal which now stand rejuvenated with the enhanced flow, their water being used for various purposes.
In this regard, the work was started by the NLCO some time ago and as of now, 99% of restoration work on these springs stands completed even as the same has now prompted the district administration in Ganderbal to work towards the rejuvenation and restoration of water bodies in the district.
Manzoor Ahmad Wangnoo, who heads the NLCO, told Excelsior that these springs are all at one particular place at Watlar and stood choked due to which the water flow witnessed hindrances and did not flow efficiently down the stream.
“These springs were in bad condition and the restoration of the same will now ensure improvement in the water flow which will ultimately benefit the agricultural land and the same can be used for drinking water purposes,” Wangnoo said.
He said that the springs have been demarcated and the necessary structures have been put in place to ensure the protection of the same. “Water flow stands restored; people are now drinking the water of the springs; using it for irrigation purposes while rest flows down into the river Sindh,” he said.
He said in Ganderbal, there is a need for the administration to work for the restoration of the water bodies, as in the district, he said, there are several streams and other water bodies that stand choked due to polythene which has accumulated over the years.
“In Ganderbal, we saw a stream filled with polythene. We then cleaned it a little bit, in a bid to get the attention of the administration. In this regard, I am going to write to the district administration for necessary action,” he said.
The NLCO Chairman said that by such initiatives, they are aiming to instill a sense of responsibility among the people because there are several other such springs that need immediate attention.
“If we talk of Khushal Sar, Gilsar, the springs have disappeared and for that, there is a need for immediately starting a campaign to restore those springs too; there is a need for ensuring that the menace polythene is ended because that’s the main culprit,” he said.
He said that as the campaign for restoring the springs was started, the people have started to identify such water bodies in their areas and that it seems, people are getting aware of it.
“With this, we are getting messages from the people telling us that they have springs in their areas and I see it has the plus point of what we have done in Watlar,” he said.
The areas from where the people have reached out to NLCO include, Rainawari, Sazgaripora and Gilkadal informing them about the presence of springs. “The initiative has kicked up and it will ensure that the residents wake up and start cleaning the water springs in their areas,” he said.
In the process of cleaning the water bodies, under Mission Ehsaas-3, the NLCO has also engaged the school children, which it said, will effectively ensure the dissemination of the message and will also help in raising awareness regarding the protection of water bodies across Kashmir.
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