Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Dr. Asgar Hassan Samoon today convened a meeting regarding the conservation of Anchar, Khushalsar and Gilsar lakes.
It is pertinent to mention here that the issue was raised by MLA Zadibal in DDB meeting of Srinagar district. In the DDB meeting, the MLA had desired immediate action and need for constituting a separate conservation authority for these lakes in due course.The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioners of Srinagar, and Ganderbal, Vice Chairman SDA, Commissioner SMC, Director, Ecology and Remote Sensing J&K, Director Tourism Kashmir, Chief Town Planner, Kashmir, Chief Engineer NBCC Ltd Srinagar, Chief Wild life Warden and other concerned officers.Threadbare discussions were held on significant decrease in areas of these lakes due to illegal encroachments and constructions. It was informed that the present area of Khushalsar is 1184 kanals which was 1260 kanals before encroachments and illegal constructions around it. Long term and short term measures were also discussed for the development of these lakes.
The Divisional Commissioner directed the concerned to make proper management plan for separating the drainage and sewerage for better preservation and maintenance of these lakes. He further directed them to complete the Sewerage treatment plants within the scheduled time frame. He asked the Chief Engineer NBCC to expedite the work on drainage system around these lakes.The Divisional Commissioner directed the Municipal authorities to clear encroachments and constructions around these lakes within 15 days. He asked them not to allow any further illegal constructions or encroachments around these lakes.All the officers assured the Divisional Commissioner that they will work with cooperation and added zeal to preserve the lakes and stop further encroachments besides removing illegal constructions around these lakes within 15 days.