Irfan Tramboo
SRINAGAR, Oct 22: After the final touches to the Gilsar cleaning efforts, the Nigeen Lake Conservation Organisation (NLCO) today announced that it is all set to carry out the cleaning process of the nearby Khushalsar Lake.
During the cleaning process, special focus will be on removing Azolla, which has surfaced again and needs immediate attention, alongside efforts to enhance the lake’s appearance.
“There has been significant progress in our community flagship cleaning program, Mission Ehsaas Phase-3. The final touches to the Gilsar Lake cleaning effort were completed today, and now we are ready to return to Khushalsar Lake,” NLCO said.
The President of NLCO, Manzoor Wangnoo, was on-site at Gilkadal to oversee the restoration work, while the NLCO team, with the support of various organizations, saw the moving of essential cleaning equipment to Khushalsar Lake.
“This will remove Azolla and other contaminants, improving the lake’s aesthetics and ecological health. We’ve been working on Gilsar for six months, implementing conservation efforts, especially dredging, resulting in significant changes,” Wangnoo told Excelsior.
He informed that this year, so far, the SMC has lifted nearly 1000 trucks of muck from Gilsar and nearly 3500 trucks from Khushalsar. “Furthermore, the LCMA has installed the tube to arrest the muck that used to be released into the two water bodies, which has also been helpful.”
Wangnoo emphasized the need to save both the lakes, referring to them as the two kidneys of urban hydrology. “We have been working for the last nearly three years, and there are visible changes. While there is a need for doing more, we will now focus again on Khushal Sar to improve the aesthetic look and clean it for the next 15-20 days,” he said.
While acknowledging the positive and prompt response from the Chief Secretary, Arun Kumar Mehta, Wangnoo voiced optimism that the twin lakes’ eco-conservation efforts would commence shortly, with the need to have effective drainage and the installation of STPs in place and a special focus on the demarcation of both lakes to prevent encroachments.
“Apart from this, there is also the crucial need for the re-establishment of old traditional navigation routes, restoration of choked springs; all these things have been included in the memorandum I presented to the Chief Secretary earlier, who has, in turn, issued the necessary directions in this regard,” he said.
He expressed his hope that during the ongoing month, the necessary works by the concerned departments through LCMA will begin, and the necessary DPR will be framed for the execution of further works.
Showkat Ahmad, a concerned resident, expressed joy over the changes on the ground, noting that a few years back, staying near the banks of these water bodies was impossible, and he has observed the overall changes.
“Today, it feels good to stand here; aesthetics have improved, and, more importantly, the lakes are breathing again. What needs to be done now is to have an effective drainage system in place to ensure sewage discharge is prevented,” he said.
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