Conserving lakes, water bodies our collective responsibility: LG

Lt Governor during the launch of mega cleanliness and de-weeding drive at Dal lake.
Lt Governor during the launch of mega cleanliness and de-weeding drive at Dal lake.

Admits gaps in cleaning process of world-famous Dal Lake
Irfan Tramboo
Srinagar, Oct 2: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today admitted that Dal Lake has not been cleaned in a way it should have been and said that the administration is doing everything possible to clean the world-famous Dal Lake in Srinagar.
While talking to the media persons on the sidelines of an event held under the Swach Bharat Abhiyan which also coincided with the birth anniversary of Mahatama Gandhi, Sinha said that the cleanness campaign can only turn out to be effective with greater public participation.
“We have been making efforts to clean the Dal Lake, but the same has not been done on a level as it should have been. We could not reach there, however, the efforts are on to do so,” he said.
He urged people on the occasion to participate in this Shramdaan Abhiyan to create a harmonious relationship with nature
He said that the administration employed several de-weeding machines which are carrying out the cleaning of the Dal and some have even been hired for the purpose.
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“Dal belongs to everyone and we need to make efforts to keep it clean and for that, there is need for people to participate in the campaign so that the target of cleanness is achieved; it is the collective responsibility of both people & government to conserve lakes, which are an intrinsic part of the ecosystem,” he said.
On the occasion Lieutenant Governor launched mega cleanliness and de-weeding drive of Dal Lake in which the Chief Secretary and senior officers of UT administration participated.
Sinha said that he was happy that the campaign has been kick-started from Srinagar and expressed hope that the people of Srinagar will show greater participation in the campaign.
“We can only get the desired results with the participation of the people and I hope the people of Srinagar will ensure that; at the same time it is great that we have started the event from Srinagar,” he said.
He underscored the importance of cleanliness of our surroundings and environment and said that that we must follow the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi in making J&K clean and green. Pertinently, about one thousand boats and two thousand individuals will be employed in the mega Cleanliness and de-weeding of Dal Lake.
On the occasion, he also took a round in the lake and flagged off the boats entrusted for Swachhta Abhiyaan in Dal Lake and also administered the Swachhta Pledge to Students of various schools and volunteers of civil society groups.
Dr Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary; Nitishwar Kumar, Principal Secretary to the Lt Governor; Athar Aamir-ul-Shafi Khan, Commissioner, SMC besides Officers and employees of Lakes and Waterways Development Authority, SDRF, Home Guards, NDRF, SMC, NCC, volunteers of Youth Services and Sports, NGOs, and students of various schools were present on the occasion and took part in the cleanliness drive.