Babbu Khan
SRINAGAR, May 9 : Amid COVID, the proliferation of weeds have taken a heavy toll on the Dal Lake without de-weeding being done in the famed water body for last several weeks.
In absence of any de-weeding operation-manually or by machines-the weeds and lily pads have engulfed Dal Lake.
Sharif Ahmad, a resident of Dal Lake, said, no de-weeding has been done on the famed body for last several weeks.
“The Lakes and Water Ways Development Authority would clean a portion of the lake by machines or through labourers. But for last two months, nothing such is being done and now you see excessive growth of weeds have taken over the lake,” Sharif told news agency.
Due to huge infestation of weeds, large parts of the lake could be seen these days covered with green cover.
Even excessive weeds could also been seen around the Shar-e-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) where national and international conferences are held. Even Prime Minister Narendra Modi in February last year toured Dal Lake and was also shown this portion around the SKICC.
“When one goes into the interiors of the lake, you will find how the famous lake is turning into a swamp,” he added.
Mohammad Subhan, a resident of Brane Nishat said he has seen first time such an ugly look of the lake. “Government has completely ignored this lake for last several weeks,” he added.
The authorities would clean the lake by de-weeding machines or traditional methods by skilled laborers.
“We had launched a massive cleanness operation last year but all these efforts have been wasted due to situation. The process for de-weeding has been stopped,” an official of LAWDA said, wishing not to be quoted by name. “It is really a matter of concern that excessive weeds have taken over the famed lake.”
For the last 16 years, Rs 800 crores have been spent on conservation of Dal Lake.
