Posted on March 5, 2020
Waterways serve as lake’s arteries, committed to restore these: LAWDA
In its endeavour to improve circulation of waters in Dal Lake, authorities have started dredging of a major interior channel of the water body.
The 2.25 km channel from Nowpora to Saida Kadal is considered to be vital as it connects Dal with Nigeen lake. Till a few decades ago, the waterway was a favourite haunt of tourists especially foreigners. It used to be decked with handicraft and walnut furniture shops. However, in absence of conservation measures over the past several decades, the channel was completely choked.
“The choked channel had made our life miserable. Due to pungent smell emanating from it, we could not even breathe properly. But there is considerable improvement now as dredging in is full swing,” said Javid Hussain Shirazi, a resident of Hassanabad Rainawari.
The Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA) has been carrying out dredging of the Nowpora-Saida Kadal channel using both machinery and traditional methods. “We have dredged out over 15,000 cubic meters of silt in the channel so far,” said Muhammad Ashraf Baba, executive engineer LAWDA Division 2nd. He said dredging of the channel will be completed in over a month.
Waters of Dal Lake flow to Nigeen Lake via Naidyar-Khujyarbal channel. The narrow waterway passes through congested areas including Khanyar, Rainawari and Saida Kadal.
“In my childhood, the channel possessed crystal clear waters. I along with my friends used to bath in its waters and swim in it. But with the passage of time, the channel was choked,” said Ghulam Ahmad, a vegetable vendor rowing his shikara in the waterway. “It is good to see that authorities for the first time are making an effort to revive the channel,” he said.
Near vast expanse of waters overlooking Ashai Bagh bridge, LAWDA has dredged out major portion of Dal Lake. Locals said the area was covered with weeds and lily pads. “After sustained dredging, we have retrieved 0.32 sq.km area of the lake area so far,” said Feroz Ahmad Mir, executive engineer lake division Ist.
On the recommendations of Alternate Hydro Energy Centre, University of Roorke, for Conservation of Dal and Nigeen lakes, the LAWDA had several years ago started work on drainage project along the channel. The project envisages connecting drains to the STP at Brari Nambal. Though pumping stations have been constructed along the channel, but house connectivity in several areas there is yet to be completed.
Vice-chairman LAWDA Tufail Matoo said Government is committed to restore choked channels in Dal Lake. “These channels serve as arteries of the lake. We are in the process of retrieving these channels. Dredging of Baba Demb and Telbal is on anvil. Besides dredging in the main lake, there are machines which are coming up to take care of lily plants which is a kind of a major challenge for LAWDA to deal with,” Matoo said.
He said for pumping drainage water from Saida Kadal to Ashai Bagh, work on Integrated Pumping Station is going on and will be connected in a month with Hazratbal STP. “This will help to save the channel from pollution,” he added.
Source: greaterkashmir.com
