Chief Secretary Mr. S. S. Kapur has called for all out efforts to conserve the world famous Dal and Nageen Lakes and further stressed that rehabilitation should go all alongwith conservation. He was addressing the 10th Meeting of the Coordination Committee constituted for the conservation and rehabilitation of Dal and Nigeen Lakes here today.
The meeting was attended by Financial Commissioner Planning, Principal Secretary Finance, Secretary Housing & Urban Development, Commissioner/Secretary Revenue, Commissioner/Secretary Health, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Chairman Pollution Control Board, Chief Wildlife Warden, Director General Budgets, Vice Chairman LAWDA , Special Secretary Housing &Urban Development Department, Director Health Services, Director Tourism Kashmir, MD State Forest Corporation, Chief Engineers R&B, UEED and Deputy Secretary Housing & Urban Development Department.
The meeting was informed that a provision of Rs. 10 crore including Rs. 4.32 central and Rs. 5.86 crore State share has been made available for the road cut for laying of trunk sewers and secondary laterals under Dal project.
As regards the transfer of State land measuring 14 kanals at Pakhribal, and Nallah Amir Khan for installation of Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) under Dal Nigeen Project, a team of officers comprising Div Com Kashmir, Vice Chairman LAWDA, Director Health Services Kashmir with Commissioner SMC was inspected the site and found it suitable for the purpose.
With regard to the walling of the STP at Hazratbal, Habak and Laam, the meeting was informed that these have already been fenced and gated. The proposed site at Brari Numbl has also been fenced. The sever lands and lateral connectivity falling in the command areas of the STP will be completed by the end of 2008.
The meeting was also informed that the work on 9 intermediate pumping stations is going on at different locations. Three pumping stations at Jogi lankar, Hotel Hemal and Nishat are fully functional.
With regard to the conservation and aforestation programme it was informed that the Catchment Management (CMP) works aimed at arresting soil erosion, reducing the silt and nutrient load into the Lake are also going on speedily. An amount of Rs 25.84 crore has been earmarked for this purpose. To speed up the execution of these works, it was decided that the works relating to aforestation and other works would be completed by the Forest department.
The meeting also approved the purchase of Lake cleaning machines and decided that the manual dweeding be also carried out wherever possible.
As regarding the development of Chinar Bagh, it was informed that 349 structures have been removed and 166 families living in these have been rehabilitated at Summer Bugh, Budgam. The department of Tourism was asked to expedite the ongoing beautification of the site. The department was also asked to constitute a watch and ward team for keeping a strict vigil on the maintenance and upkeep of the same.
Regarding the rehabilitation of Dal dwellers, the meeting was informed that the affected people have been rehabilitated at different places which include 8 colonies at Panchkharwari (Habak), Botakadal, Agro Bagh Bemina, Diwidi Bagh, Habibullah Nowsheri colonies with the basic facilities like electricity, sanitation, water supply and road connectivity.
It was also decided that a team would be deputed outside the state to study the latest technology adopted by some states like Kerala for treatment of Houseboat sewerage so that same could be applied in the State.
The meeting was also informed that around 360 meters of silt, solid waste have been cleared of the Rainawari Navigational channel and the same has been deepened to 3 to 4 meters. The banks in the area have also been restored, work on remaining 1780 meters and another 500 meters of Nowpora will be taken shortly.
With regard to the latest status of the Lakes, it was decided that the maping would be done in consultation with the Directorate of Remote Sensing, Hyderabad so that the latest position about the Lake area can be ascertained.
The chief Secretary directed the concerned to work speedily and steadfastly to restore the lakes to their pristine glory. He also directed the line departments like Municipality, Urban Development Department, UEED and LAWDA for completion the work assigned to these within the stipulated time-frame.