The Hindu : National : Centre approves Dal Lake conservation project

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Sunday, Mar 13, 2005

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National

Centre approves Dal Lake conservation project

By Luv Puri

JAMMU, MARCH 12. The Centre has approved a project costing Rs. 237.70 crores to conserve the famous Dal Lake, which in the last century has shrunk in area due to encroachment. The shrunk area of the lake has over the years become a source of worry for environmentalists.

Speaking in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Council here today, the Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Ghulam Hasan Mir, said: "A project costing Rs. 237 crores has been approved by the Central Government and sent to the Planning Commission for approval. The project envisages conservation of Dal Lake."

In 1200 AD, the Dal Lake was spread over an area of 75 sq. km but by 1980s, only 25 sq. km survived. Today, the lake stretches over barely 12 sq. km.

Till date, according to the Minister, Rs.650 lakhs had been released to save the lake with a multi-pronged strategy.

Listing various efforts by the State Government, the Minister said: "Solid waste management programme to prevent flow of solid waste into the lake is being carried out through non-governmental organisations.

"Deweeding/skimming for weed management, both manually and mechanically, is being done on a regular basis. More than 20,000 cum of wet weed is being removed annually."

Rehabilitation plan

The State Government has also prepared a rehabilitation plan for the families whose land has been acquired in view of the threat to the lake. For instance, 1,200 families of Dal dwellers have been rehabilitated.

According to him, not only encroachments but also gardens on the lake would be removed.

The Lily/Pechi gardens are being removed and so far 516 illegal structures have been brought down.

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