SHGs' help sought to keep Dal Lake clean in Kashmir

Srinagar, Sep 26 (UNI) Concerned over the condition of the world famous Dal Lake, authorities in Kashmir have turned to Self Help Groups (SHGs) for conservation of the water body in the summer capital.

The decision was taken at a high level meeting of officers which was held to review various measures for conservation and cleansing of the Dal Lake.

Presided over by Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir Mehboob Iqbal, the meeting decided that mass awareness for conservation of the Lake would be taken up.

For this purpose, SHGs comprising students, local population, youth, government and Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) would be formed.

It was also decided that a control room would be established by Vice Chairman Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA) to monitor the progress and provide all logistic support to the voluntary effort of the SHGs.

A NGO had recently recovered tonnes of polythene and other garbage from the Lake.

Police also arrested five persons for throwing polythene in the Lake recently. However, they were later released on bail by the court.

The authorities have so far axed more than three lakh trees and removed hundreds of illegal structures in the interior of the Lake following directions from the Jammu and Kashmir High Court.

The court also ordered to remove constructions in the green belt area around the Lake.

UNI