Govt undertakes flood protection, water body restoration projects in J&K

Jammu, Mar 25: The Jammu and Kashmir government has outlined extensive efforts to restore and protect key water bodies, including the Wullar Lake, Dal Lake, and River Jhelum, while implementing flood protection measures across various regions.
In response to an unstarred question by MLA Irfan Hafiz Lone in the Assembly, the government detailed its multi-departmental initiatives aimed at conservation, flood mitigation, and erosion control.
Under Phase II of the Flood Management Programme (FMP) for River Jhelum, 30 anti-erosion works are being carried out at an estimated cost of ₹274 crore, with 16 already completed, achieving an overall progress of 80%. Additionally, projects under NABARD’s Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF-XXX), including ₹22.37 crore for Ningli Nallah flood protection, have been sanctioned, with 20% progress made.
The J&K Lake Conservation and Management Authority (LCMA) has implemented various measures to curb encroachment and pollution in Dal and Nigeen Lakes. These include:
Delineation and Drone Surveys to identify encroachments, Installation of CCTV cameras and barricades to prevent illegal activities, Construction of the Western Foreshore Road (2.9 km) to demarcate Dal Lake’s boundary, Rehabilitation of 3,108 families from Dal Lake to reduce human-induced pollution
Efforts also extend to sewage management, with five Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) processing 36.73 million liters of waste daily. Moreover, 718 houseboats in Dal and Nigeen Lakes have been connected to the sewage system, mitigating pollution caused by direct discharge.
The government has also launched bio-methanation and wet waste management projects in collaboration with NAFED, converting lake waste into compost. Advanced lake cleaning machinery has been procured, including weed removal barges, aquatic dredgers, and tug boats.
While acknowledging the irrigation needs of Tehsil Khoie, the government stated that 2,396 hectares are already catered to by gravity canals, with the remaining 405 hectares expected to be covered under a new DPR for Khurshi Nallah (₹5.5 crore). However, there are currently no plans for lift irrigation schemes or the construction of a dewatering shed at Rakh Haygam Haritar, citing a lack of immediate requirement.