Water bodies get attention

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has finally taken a series of steps with regard to the preservation of water bodies here in Jammu and Kashmir, especially in the Valley, which is the need of the hour. In one such instance, it has stressed upon the Jammu and Kashmir government to declare the vital Doodhganga Nallah and its banks as No “Litter Zone”. Keeping in view the fragile environment around the Nallah, the NGT has also constituted a committee, which has been tasked to assess the water quality, quantity of sewage being discharged and solid waste being dumped around the water bodies. Similarly, it has also taken a strong notice over the appalling condition of the Kashmir Valley’s largest lake, Wular lake, which is facing serious threat due to encroachments. Situated in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district, the lake is under constant threat as the water body has lost around 640 kanals of land to encroachers. The massive encroachment has led to the decline in the fish population and quality of the water that has affected the health of the lake. Therefore, the government has the responsibility now to work for the betterment of the water bodies and follow the directions by the NGT, aimed at preserving them. The concerned departments should work in tandem to put an end to the encroachments and other related things so that the pristine glory of the famed water bodies of Kashmir will be restored.