In a bid to evaluate conservation measures for Dal Lake and Nigeen lake, the 3rd Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) meeting of the Jammu & Kashmir Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (JKLAWDA) was held today under the chairmanship of Dr A.R. Yusuf (Ex member National Green Tribunal Delhi).On the occasion, Vice-Chairperson LAWDA, Dr A.H. Shah, in his welcome note highlighted the ongoing conservation works in and around the Dal and Nigeen lakes. He said that a special drive for removal of lily pads both manually and mechanically has been started from August 07, 2017. So far 0.15 sq km has been cleared mechanically and 0.028 sq.km manually. He further said that the department is working for the creation of Artificial Wetlands for stopping the flow of untreated sewage into the lake, strengthening of the research and monitoring division, procurement of latest equipments, removal of Azolla and other pesticides in the lake waters, conversion of de-weeded material into compost, dredging and other preventive measures to save native fish species in the lake are being carved out in a result oriented manner.
Commissioner Secretary to Government Housing & Urban Development Department Hirdish Kumar and other members including Dr D. P. Zutshi Noted Hydro-biologist and former Emeritus Professor JNU New Delhi, Dr Pinaki Sar, Dr G. Balachandra, Dr Sidarth Koul, Dr Shakeel Ramshoo, Dr Manzoor Ahmad Shah, Dr M. Sultan Bhat, Dr Farooq Ahmad Lone, senior Advocate Zaffar Ahmad Shah, Engineers & Scientists from JKLAWDA and other concerned officers were also present in this meeting.On the occasion Prof. A.A. Kazmi and Prof. Nayan Sharma of IIT Roorkee made a detailed presentation on Vision Document of Dal & Nigeen lakes in the meeting. The participants discussed threadbare about the Vision Document and gave their valuable suggestions and scientific opinions.The SAC members highlighted some loopholes in the vision document and asked the author to incorporate the suggestions of the members in the revised and updated edition of the vision document to be presented before the SAC in the next meeting.The SAC team also made spot visit of Sewage Treatment Plants (STP) at Lam and Hazbatbal. It also visited many areas of Dal and Nigeen lakes to oversee conservation works.