Lakes and Waterway Development Authority (LAWDA) has started the mechanised de-weeding in different water bodies here.
A statement said the de-weeding by Weed Harvesters has been started in March and will continue in the months to come.
The statement said the operation was suspended for about 10 days in between due to restrictions imposed in view of COVID19 pandemic.
“But after obtaining movement passes from district administration, the de-weeding operation has been resumed. Around 1,000 cums of weed has been removed from the lake surface during this period,” the statement said.
It said the LAWDA has put into operation four Weed Harvesters and other allied lake cleaning machinery in various areas including Shalimar, Nishat, Nehru Park, Cheshmashahi, Doldemb, Chutkul, Nigeen and Dal Lakes.
The available machines with Authority are insufficient to take care of de-weeding of Dal and Nigeen Lakes, said the statement.
“It is difficult to maintain about 16.35 sq km of area needed to be deweeded. Therefore, in order to maintain the glory of the lakes, the Authority has initiated tendering for manual de-weeding as well which is likely going to be started from June 1,” the statement said.