Raja Syed Rather
Srinagar, Oct 31: The government on Friday said that major water bodies including Dal, Nigeen, Manasbal, Wullar, Hokersar and other wetlands play a crucial role in the Valley’s ecosystem, biodiversity and tourism, and are essential for maintaining environmental balance.
Responding to a question raised by Mubarak Gul in the Legislative Assembly, the Housing & Urban Development Department affirmed that these lakes hold immense ecological and economic value.
The government, however, rejected claims that despite the establishment of several dedicated authorities, proper monitoring and conservation efforts had not been achieved. It said multiple agencies including the J&K Lake Conservation and Management Authority, Wildlife Protection Department and Wular Conservation and Management Authority are actively working to protect and revive the wetlands.
The government said that significant steps have been taken to improve the health of Dal and Nigeen Lake, such as dredging and deweeding operations, installation of sewage treatment systems, construction of sewer networks around lake areas, solid-waste removal drives, installation of trash barriers, removal of lily pads and clearing of floating vegetation.
Rehabilitation of residents living inside lake areas, afforestation in catchment zones and soil-erosion control works have also been carried out, it said.
The authorities informed the House that specific interventions at Hokersar, Shalibagh and Haigam have restored water channels, created ring bunds and sluice gates to regulate water inflow and outflow, and cleared thick layers of vegetation to ensure better habitat conditions for migratory birds. At Wular Lake, GPS-based boundary demarcation has been completed and large portions of the critically silted lake have been dredged to increase water-holding capacity.
The government added that water quality monitoring is being undertaken at multiple designated sites, while tourist facilities such as walkways and jetties are being developed to promote responsible eco-tourism.
To address challenges like untreated sewage, solid-waste dumping and invasive species such as water hyacinth in Dal Lake, the government said annual clearance drives are being conducted along with regular Swachhta campaigns and public-awareness programmes in collaboration with local bodies. A pre-feasibility study for a sewage treatment plant in Bandipora is underway to further strengthen protection measures.
The government informed that District Wetland Management Units headed by Deputy Commissioners have also been constituted with the mandate to prepare conservation plans, monitor wetlands, and ensure compliance with directives issued by the Supreme Court and National Green Tribunal. It said these units are actively demarcating wetlands, ground-truthing data and submitting regular reports to competent authorities.
The government assured the House that continuous efforts are being made to protect and revive all major wetlands of Jammu and Kashmir to ensure a sustainable ecological future for the region.
