KD NEWS SERVICE
SRINAGAR, Aug 22: Noted environmentalist and Chairman of Kashmir Concern (Regd. NGO), Dr. Touseef Ahmed, has submitted a memorandum to M.Y. Tarigami, Chairman of the House Committee on Environment, Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, drawing urgent attention to the rapidly deteriorating condition of Anchar Lake.
Dr. Ahmed apprised Tarigami of the growing environmental threats facing the important water body, including increasing pollution, encroachments, accumulation of waste, shrinking water channels and the overall degradation of the lake ecosystem.
He warned that continued deterioration of Anchar Lake could have serious consequences for its fragile ecosystem and biodiversity, besides affecting the communities and habitats dependent on the surrounding environment.
In his memorandum, Dr. Ahmed urged the House Committee on Environment to take up the issue on priority and ensure coordinated intervention by the concerned departments for the scientific conservation, restoration and protection of the lake.
He called for regular monitoring of Anchar Lake, removal of encroachments, strict prevention of sewage and solid-waste discharge, restoration of its water channels and greater involvement of local communities in conservation efforts.
Tarigami gave a patient hearing to the concerns raised by Dr. Ahmed and assured him that all possible measures would be taken to protect and save Anchar Lake. He acknowledged the importance of preserving Kashmir’s wetlands and water bodies and assured that the matter would receive due attention at the appropriate level.
Welcoming the assurance, Dr. Ahmed said Anchar Lake was not merely a water body but an important part of Kashmir’s ecological heritage and warned that its protection required urgent, sustained and collective action.
He further said Kashmir Concern would continue to work with the government, civil society, experts and local communities for the restoration and protection of Kashmir’s precious water bodies.
