District Development Commissioner(DDC) Srinagar, Mohammad Aijaz Asad today chaired a meeting of officers to review the works being carried out for restoration of historical water bodies in Srinagar including Nigeen Lake, Khushaal sar, Gilsar and Nalah-e-Amir Khan.Vice Chairman Lakes and Water Ways Authorities(LAWDA), Dr Bashir Ahmad Bhat was also present on the occasion.During the meeting, the District Development Commissioner was apprised about the action taken report on the directions given during a spot inspection conducted by the DDC on June 17. He was also given detailed presentations through Google Map on the water channels in Srinagar showing encroachments and restoration work done so far.The DDC further passed directions to the concerned for taking all required measures for cleaning the accumulated waste to make all water bodies navigable. He said one of the purposes of the restoration measures is to restore the original water navigation circuit in Srinagar district. The restoration of these water bodies will not only enhance the scenic beauty and environment of the areas but also generate ample opportunities of employment for local youth.The DDC directed all the concerned department to work in coordinated manner for facelifting and beatification measures along these water bodies. He asked the R&B department to take up the redesigning work in hand for all four bridges on the channel on a war footing basis.
Stressing on community participation, the DDC directed concerned people to launch a mass awareness campaign to aware and sensitize people on the importance of conserving these natural resources.The DDC also appealed to people to stop littering and throwing garbage in water bodies leading to their degradation which poses great threat to human existence. He also asked the concerned officers to gear up the surveillance teams and intensify the anti encroachment drive along Nigeen Lake, Khushaal sar, Gilsar and Nalah-e-Amir Khan and take strict action as per law against the persons indulging in littering and damping garbage into these natural resources.The Vice Chairman, LAWDA also spoke on the occasion and said we are focusing on restoring the channel till Nala Ameer Khan and efforts are on to continue the cleaning process. He said choked channel was cleaned to a major extent by joint efforts making it possible to navigate through it in a boat.He said Dal Lake, Nigeen Lake, Pokhribal, Gilsar, Khushalsar and Anchar are all connected by this channel and if it is kept clean, the ecosystem will improve a lot.Additional Deputy Commissioner, Khurshid Ahmad,Chief Planning Officer, Mohammad Yaseen Lone, Assistant Commissioner Revenue, Rayees Ahmad, Superintendent Engineer PHE Hydraulic, Superintendent Engineer UEED, officers from SMC, Floriculture, Revenue, Forest, NBCC and other concerned departments were present in the meeting.