Failure of authorities to take measures for restoration of Khushalsar, Gilsar lakes in Downtown is taking a heavy toll on locals.
Gilsar and Khushalsar are two interconnected lakes which receive waters from Dal lake and gradually flows into Aanchar. Nestled between Hawal and Zadibal areas, these lakes till few decades ago were one of the major tourist attractions and bird watching sites. However in absence of conservation measures, these water bodies have been marred by encroachments and siltation.
Aghast over the deteriorating condition of these lakes, locals have joined hands to prevent encroachments.
“We are now fed up to see these pristine water bodies Khushalsar, Gilsar dying a silent death in front of us,” said Showkat Ahmad Shah, a resident of Nowshera who has been a part of the group fighting against encroachment of water bodies.
As part of their strategy, Shah along with like-minded people have been blocking the Nowshera road for past couple of days to get their voices heard.
“Water of these lakes is polluted to such extent that if somebody touches it, they will get skin infection without seconds,” Shah said adding that recently a team of SKIMS doctors visited the site and conducted test of the Gilsar waters.
“Though they didn’t give us the report, but they stated that the water could cause epidemic in adjoining areas,” he said.
Farhan Kitab, a social activist stated that they have raised the issue with LAWDA and other concerned agencies. “But nobody paid any heed,” he said.
A large expanse of Khushalsar along the Ali Jan road has been extensively encroached upon. In absence of any regulation, shops, automobile workshops and buildings have come up on fringe of the lake. Similarly, extensive constructions on both sides of banks of Gilsar lake have come up.
To mention a study carried by the Department of Earth Science Kashmir University reveals that Khushalsar and Gilsar have shrunk half their size. The twin lakes of Khushalsar and Gilsar occupied almost a square km in 1965 and have shrunk to less than 0.50 sq. Km.
Studies reveal that most of the zones near habitations have become dumping sites of all allochanthus and non- allochanthus materials hampering the flow of waters.