{"id":373,"date":"2017-06-19T11:59:31","date_gmt":"2017-06-19T11:59:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gujaratexpert.com\/blog\/?p=373"},"modified":"2022-10-29T07:45:54","modified_gmt":"2022-10-29T07:45:54","slug":"dal-lake","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gujaratexpert.com\/blog\/dal-lake\/","title":{"rendered":"Travel to Dal Lake, Srinagar"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dal Lake:<\/strong> One more of nature\u2019s unique creations literally being trashed by Modern Man<\/p>\n

Even during the most trying times, Srinagar\u2019s Dal Lake attracted and fascinated Visitors. The centerpiece of the beautiful Valley described by Mughal kings as heaven on earth, the Dal Lake, as with so many other unique creations of nature, is today an endangered place. The complacency of the authorities and lake dwellers such as houseboat owners has reduced this once 70 sq. km. area.<\/p>\n

\"Dal<\/p>\n

A journey through the lake today reveals this wonderful waterbody\u2019s degradation into a cesspool of polythene, animal carcasses, sewage and obnoxious weeds. The much publicized shikara ride begins on a pleasant enough note at the main entry point from the boulevard around the lake with the Zabarwan Mountains in the background. But as the shikara paddles further into the lake, the harrors begin to unfold.<\/p>\n

At Abi-Karpora, the water plants for whose removal the authorities spent lakhs of rupees have sprung back. Some distance ahead at Nowpora Bridge, the waterway has shrunk due to encroachments. The site at Jogi Lanker and Naidyar is equally depressing with carcasses and tons of polythene floating. Deep into the lake at Saida Kadal, the floating vegetable gardens and garbage have taken its toll on the lake\u2019s health.<\/p>\n

All the city\u2019s drains empty their loads into the lake. People have been quick to grab every piece of land that the lake has lost due to massive weeding and silting. Old-time residents like Muzaffar Ahmed recalled once common pleasures now not possible-like swimming from Jogi Lanker deep into the lake.<\/p>\n

All this is happening with the connivance of the Lake and Water Ways Development Authority (LWWDA) whose job is to clean up and protect the lake and its environs. \u201cA building permission code the prohibits construction in and around the lake but that has proved no deterrent,\u201d said Hamid Khan (name changed), a former senior LWWDA official. \u201cThe master plan for Srinagar that declares a vast area in and around the lake as a green belt, too, has proved futile.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe sewage is responsible for the weeds flourishing despite best efforts to control their growth,\u201d said noted ecologist khursheed kundanger, as expert on the Dal Lake. Earlier, the authorities vainly tried biological means to control the weed menace by importing a particular fish from china. Ironically, the weed infestation is heaviest near the LWWDA office.<\/p>\n

History and heritage have been casualties. Rainwari was once the route used by the Mughals to reach the famous Nishat and Shalimar gardens. Today a huge drain there pours all the area\u2019s waste into the lake. \u201cWe used to ferry tourists from this route as they liked to see the old houses,\u201d reminisced boatman Ghulam Qadir. \u201cBut the encroachment and dumping of garbage has turned the channel into a gutter.\u201d<\/p>\n

Odds and Ends<\/strong><\/p>\n