Raja Syed Rather
Ganderbal, Aug 3: Lack of conservation measures and public amenities has caused decline in flow of visitors to Manasbal lake area in Ganderbal.
Shopkeepers and residents of Manasbal said that the authorities have neglected their area causing an immense drop in visitors both local as well as tourists.
They cited lack of proper facilities such as ATM and washrooms among the issues faced by visitors.
A local shopkeeper Sahil Dagga said that they have been demanding an ATM for several decades but their pleas have fallen on deaf ears. Currently, tourists have to travel to Safapora, one km from Manasbal Park, to withdraw money, resulting in inconvenience and hardships.
Likewise, the scenic Manasbal Lake, once a symbol of pride and a major tourist attraction, is now on the brink of deterioration due to negligence by the Mansabal Development Authority.
Previously spread over 5 square kilometers with clean and sweet water, the lake’s size has shrunk to less than 4 square kilometers, and the water quality has degraded significantly, locals said. The lake, which is supplied by over 1,200 natural springs surrounding its banks, used to be a vital source of clean and transparent water for the local population. However, the present conditions are far from ideal, with the water no longer suitable for consumption.
Locals blame the Mansabal Development Authority and the Tourism Department for ignoring the lake’s preservation, resulting in the current state.
Manzoor Ahmed Daga, the Vice President of the Mansbal Shakara Union, expressed concern about the lack of focus on Mansabal Lake by the authorities.
He believes that if the government takes initiatives to promote the lake, tour operators in Kashmir would gladly include its itineraries of tourists.
CEO Wular Manasbal Development Authority, Gh Mohd Bhat said that the washrooms are currently under construction, and they are actively coordinating with authorities at the J&K Bank for making the ATM operational since it has already been installed.
There are two significant projects under SMRT with a total cost of 34 crores, one of which is already in progress, and the other is scheduled to begin soon.
