Advisor to Governor, K.K Sharma today said that several measures are underway for maintaining the ecological balance and preservation of water bodies across Jammu and Kashmir.The Advisor was speaking at 23th Board of Directors meeting of Jammu and Kashmir Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (JKLAWDA) here today.Financial Commissioner, Finance, Dr Arun Kumar Mehta, Principal Secretary, Housing and Urban Development, Deeraj Gupta, Principal Secretary, Planning, Rohit Kansal, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Baseer Ahmad Khan, Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, Dr Shahid Choudhary, Vice-Chairman, LAWDA, Ghulam Muhammad Dar, Commissioner, Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Khurshid Sanai, Chief Engineer, UEED, and other concerned attended the meeting.While directing the officers for undertaking comprehensive measures for the preservation of the water bodies especially Dal Lake, the Advisor said that sustained efforts should be undertaken for maintaining ecological balance by roping in experts to undertake proper preservation of water bodies.The Advisor also directed strengthening infrastructural capacities, maintaining that the same would speed up the de-weeding and other associated things, related to the preservation of the famed Dal Lake.
While directing ensuring the compensation of the families—whose structures were acquired, the Advisor said that a comprehensive plan should also be formulated—which would ensure enormous preservation and development of the water bodies.Taking serious note of the illegal constructions and encroachments—the Advisor directed for undertaking concrete measures for removal of the same. He said that a foolproof mechanism should be adopted so that these types of activities don’t come up in the near future. He also directed officers for close coordination between administration and enforcement wings of the Authority.The meeting also discussed several issues like de-weeding and cleaning of the Lake, installation of composite and bio-gas plant, construction of western foreshore road, removal of encroachments and development of catchment area of the Dal Lake, development of the dole-demb for relocation of house boats and other related matters.