Srinagar, Jan 13: In a major move aimed at boosting up the Dal Conservation, the Government on Thursday launched a massive drive to convert nearly 300 kanals of acquired land in the lake’s interiors into water.
 Officials said the drive has been launched after the High level Committee appointed by the High Court which is monitoring the Dal Conservation cleared 65 rehabilitation cases paving way for acquisition of the 290 kanals of land including radhs and its conversion into water.
 The Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA) which is entrusted with conservation of Dal, today diverted all its machinery to Dooldemb, Nadpora and Abi-Karpora and launched the operation.
 “The conversion of 290 kanals of land into waters will give a new lease of life to the Dal and boost up our conservation measures. The huge chunk of land hampered the smooth flow of Dal’s waters and drastically affected its aesthetic beauty,” LAWDA’s Executive Engineer (Mechanical) Mushtaq Hussain Jan told Greater Kashmir.  
 Jan said the progress of the land conversion is being monitored by the High Court. “The Court has directed the LAWDA to ensure that soon after acquisition of land it should be converted into water to prevent further constructions or undertaking of agricultural activities on it. If weather permits we will complete the task within a week with the help of newly procured sophisticated machines like Water Master and Truxor,” he said.  
 Officials said the LAWDA has simultaneously launched restoration of the Dal’s interior channels including the Rainawari waterway which have been chocked in absence of conservation measures over the years.    
 Pertinently, after sustained campaign by the Greater Kashmir, the LAWDA for the first time since its formation, undertook dredging drive in the Dal’s main outflow channel, Chuntkul and Brari Nambal lagoon.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 13 Jan 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 13 Jan 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 14 Jan 2011 00:00:00 IST