Once pristine, Anchar Lake carves for attention

Srinagar, Aug 10: Anchar Lake in Srinagar which was once a lifeline is losing its sheen due to unregulated, illegal activities, throwing of waste and pollution in nearby areas.
The lake located in the Soura area connects the Dal Lake via a water channel named Nallah Amir Khan. It passes through Gilsar and Khushal Sar Lakes and was famous for producing high-quality fish, lotus stem or nadru, vegetable gardens and water chestnuts.
Residents who live near the lake have expressed their displeasure over the lackadaisical approach of the authorities and illegal activities have affected the pristine glory of the lake.
“The lake was once a beautiful tourist attraction but over the past many years, it has turned into a polluted wasteland. Located in Soura, the vital water body has been affected due to environmental degradation,” said Kaisar Ahmad, a student of Soura Srinagar.
The resident said he has been to the lake many times and it has suffered from severe pollution, increased alkalinity, and excessive weed growth, making it nearly impossible to navigate.
“Owing to the unregulated pollution and government neglect, the water body has now lost its significance. I often pass over the water body and it has become a garbage site at many places and people also put liquid waste into it,” said Ajaz Ahmad, another resident.
He also said that they have witnessed a decline in the water quality due to several reasons majorly being increase in pollution, raw sewage, solid waste, agricultural waste etc.
They also said that a large chunk of the lake has been encroached as the encroachments continue from Anchar and Baspora sides and that there is a need to save the water body.
“It should be made clean. Dredging work should also be started. The drainage leading to the water body should be stopped immediately to save it at the earliest. All silt goes to the water body which is very unfortunate,” he said.
Nadeem Qadri, Environmental Lawyer, High Court of J&K and Ladakh, said he had a detailed meeting regarding the eco-restoration of Anchar Lake which he said needs immediate intervention from the Government of Jammu & Kashmir.
“The main focus of the meeting was on the notifications of Anchar Lake as Protected Wetland under Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules of 2017 and subsequent handover to JKLCMA for preparation of a comprehensive Conservation Management Action Plan (CMAP),” he said.
“We have set the green target of five years, I am hopeful that the Government of J&K will show seriousness and a focused approach for the eco-restoration of Anchar Lake. I am optimistic that we will succeed in our mission with the active support from all the stakeholders,” he said.
Qadri also said that the liquid waste of SKIMS Soura directly goes into Anchar Lake and there are no treatment, no drainage and no sewage treatment plants (STPs).
The Anchar Lake falls under the jurisdiction of Srinagar Municipal Corporation not the J&K Lake Conservation and Management Authority (LCMA).
However, Athar Aamir Khan, Commissioner, Srinagar Municipal Corporation said they are planning the restoration of several water bodies including Khushal Sar and Anchar Lake.
“We are going to start the restoration process very soon. Last year we cleaned the lake and took some silt from there. We will be starting it again under Mission Amrit Sarovar,” he said.