Srinagar, May 29: In a significant development, the Government of Rajasthan is embracing the famous Dal Lake in Srinagar as a model for conservation of its lakes which are confronted with multiple problems including pollution and siltation.
 Officials said on the recommendation by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India, the Rajasthan Urban Infrastructure Finance and Development Corporation Limited (RUIFDCO) has deputed a six-member team to Srinagar to “learn about the conservation measures of Dal Lake.”
 The feedback by the team would be incorporated in restoration of five lakes in Rajasthan under the National Lake Conservation Program, besides the preparation of the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for conservation of 12 other water bodies in the desert-state. Pertinently, the lakes in Rajasthan which are heavily dependent on monsoons, are marred by scanty rainfall, unabated mining in catchments, siltation and agricultural run-off.
 Earlier this month, the Additional Secretary of Ministry of Forests, Meera Maharishi, had chaired a meeting on restoration and development of the lakes in Rajasthan. “The meeting decided that as lot of lake conservation work has already been executed in Dal Lake, a team of officers from Rajasthan will make an on-the-spot assessment of the restoration works. We approached the J&K Government through the Lakes and Waterways Development Authority and they facilitated our visit to Dal,” VK Garg, the Team Leader RUIFDCO told Greater Kashmir. 
 Under the NLCP, five lakes of Rajasthan comprising Anasagar, Pushkar, Sarovar, Nakki, Fateh Sagar and Pichhola would be restored at a cost of Rs 197.59 crores, besides the DPRs for conservation of 12 others lakes including Jait Sagar,Gaib Sagar,Daylab Talab,Kishore Sagar, Rajsamand, Gundolav, Udaisagar, Goverdhan Sagar, Gharsisar, Kailana and Sambhar Lake would be formulated.
 “We will be assessing every aspect of Dal conservation. On the basis of our assessment, we will recommend suitable measures for conservation of lakes in Rajasthan,” said Garb who is also the advisor to Minister of Urban Development and Housing, Government of Rajasthan.
 The Secretary of Urban Improvement Trust (UIT) in Udaipur, RP Sharma, who is part of the team on visit to Srinagar, said though the Dal lake has different eco-system as compared to water bodies in Rajasthan, but their conservation mechanism is same.
 “Dal Lake is fed by glaciers and springs while the lakes in Rajasthan are mostly dependent on rains. Like Dal, the lakes in Rajasthan face common problems including pollution and siltatation. The focus of our visit would be to ascertain the conservation measures like catchment and sewage treatment and include them for salvaging our lakes,” Sharma said.
 Senior scientist of LAWDA, Dr Sabah-ul-Solim said the team made spot-assessment of Dal’s shoreline development, silt settling basin, catchments works and in-lake conservation measures. “We will be providing the team with every detail regarding the lake’s conservation works. The team has appreciated our works,” he said.
 The vice-chairman LAWDA, Irfan Yasin, said on the basis of regular monitoring of the Dal conservation project, the Ministry of Environment and Forests, has expressed satisfaction over the pace of lake’s restoration.
 “We appreciate endeavor of the Government of India to project Dal as a model for conservation of others lakes, particularly in Rajasthan. We want to maintain that despite challenges, we are committed to restore the Dal to its pristine glory,” Yasin said.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 29 May 2011 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 29 May 2011 18:30:00 GMT
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