Srinagar, Feb 24: Manasbal Lake, a freshwater lake located in Safapora area of central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district is craving for government attention as untreated sewage and solid waste is thrown openly into the lake at various places, causing its degradation.
Asif Riyaz, a resident from Hanji Mohallah in the Kundbal side of the lake, said people openly throw domestic waste, garbage and sewage on the banks of lake and no one cares for it.
“They openly throw it into the lake and no one tells them anything. This is very unfortunate,” he said, expressing concern over deterioration of the once pristine water body.
He said the deterioration of water quality and other associated problems have reduced the recreational and aesthetic value of the lake which is also a tourist spot.
Showkat Ahmad, a resident of Safapora said people throw waste during the night hours and it is affecting the aquatic life of the lake.
“We have taken up the matter with the concerned authorities and requested them to take some measures but they are silent,” he said, adding it will become a huge problem for people in future.
Demanding for its restoration, the residents said that the government should take immediate steps to restore its pristine glory.
“It should be made clean. Dredging work should also be started as soon as possible. The drainage leading to the water body should also be stopped immediately to save it at the earliest,” Showkat said.
The resident said a few years back, street lights were also installed on the banks of lake as part of its beautification but these lights have been damaged now and crave for attention.
CEO, Manasbal Development Authority, Ghulam Mohd Bhat agreed that people were throwing waste into the lake adding that they take action against those people who pollute the lake.
“Over the past one and half months, we have extracted some 20 tractors of silt and waste from the water body. We are trying to make it clean. A lot more needs to be done,” he said.
Bhat appealed to people residing around Manasbal Lake to play their part and not to throw waste into the lake. “We are also planning the beautification of footpaths on its banks. We have got funds for that and within some three months the work will be started,” he said.
The CEO also said the Tourism Department is also constructing a Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) in order to save the prime water body.
