LC&MA gathers 2.5 tons of solid waste per day from Dal Lake: VC LC&MA
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LC&MA gathers 2.5 tons of solid waste per day from Dal Lake: VC LC&MA

Post by on Tuesday, May 31, 2022

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Besides laying focus on ‘procurement’ and ‘hiring’ of high-tech machines to clean Dal, Nigeen and other water bodies, the Department of Lakes Conservation & Management Authority (LC&MA) works on in situ rehabilitation of Dal dwellers. Taking their expertise into accountthis year, the habitants of Dal were not only given the opportunity to assist the department andclean Dal but also to earn livelihood in a dignified way. Vice-Chairman, LC&MA, Dr. Bashir Ahmad Bhat spoke to Rising Kashmir’s city correspondent Irfan A Mir on length of issues. Here is what he says?

 

Dal is a pernennial concern for people in Kashmir. What measures are underway to clean it?

We took up ‘machine procurement’ and ‘machine hiring’ robustly this season to ensure visible progress in Dal and Nigeen Lakes. We have pressed a lot of machinery in Dal and Nigeen this year. As compared to the past, the LC&MA has augmented the machinery which includes lily extraction machines, high-end weed grabbers, harvesters, water masters etc to extract the lily from roots besides maintenance of aesthetics of lakes. I assure you within a period of one year, you will see the maximum portion of Dal would get rid of lily.

 

Dal dwellers are part of the Lake. Is there any rehabilitation scheme formulated for them?

This year government took care of their livelihood, employed them in the de-weeding process. They have boats  available and also expertise. Around 600 laborers are engaged in extraction of weeds every day. The earnings by Dal dwellers goes directly into their accounts. This initiative was flagged off by LG Manoj Sinha under mission Athwas.

 

Several wooden platforms on the banks of Dal are broken. Why are they unattended so far?

Few wooden platforms or jetties belong to the Department of Tourism. While a few are under our jurisdiction. We have identified damages on our side and soon they will be fixed. In future the LC&MA will erect floaters on the waters of Dal instead of wooden platforms.

 

How much waste does LC&MA gather per day?

We gather tons of solid waste per day from Dal Lake. Last year the figure was 1.5 ton per day and right now it has risen to 2.5 tons per day.

 

Do you see any role of public participation in cleaning Dal?

Yes. Public is an inextricable part of Dal. It is our collective asset. De-weeding is our domain while keeping the Dal and other water bodies clean from solid waste is possible only with the active participation of the general public. Recently locals from Nehru Park sought dust bins to make the area clean from solid waste. Once people start participating actively, the day is not far when we see our Dal clean from pollutants. LC&MA cannot do it alone. Since April 9 this year when Mission Athwas was initiated thousands of volunteers especially students, officials, social workers took part in Dal cleaning process. Recently a group of volunteers from Andhra Pradesh approached us for participation in the mission. Whosoever would like to take part in the mission is welcomed. People are part of this initiative. Even religious clerics can also play their role from pulpits of Mosques.

 

How does LC&MA manage the waste produced by the house boats?

Houseboats are connected with sewerages. 84 houseboats at Nigeen Lake have already been connected with sewerages. Houseboats in Dal Lake would also be connected by the end of this year. The job has been tendered out. Either we connect them to BrariNambal STP or establish portable STPs.

 

Do you feel there is dereliction of duties by field officers regarding encroachments?

Besides manpower we have installed 23 CCTVs at vital locations to check illegal activities. In the recent past I suspended several field officers for dereliction of duties who allegedly failed to report higher officials regarding illegal constructions. If people wish to construct their houses, there is a proper way available and whosoever would be found indulged in illegal construction won’t be spared.

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