Scientific deweeding
In a recent review meeting Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir has asked for focus on conservation methods of lakes especially Dal and Nigeen lake.
It was given out that the lake area has not decreased as per the earliest possible available records (1985 settlement by Sir Walter Lawrence). It was revealed that the area is almost same as per the ETS survey carried out in 2009 and satellite imagery.
Moreover the authority had carried out delineation of Lake boundary for the first time, l besides carrying out drone survey done through SOI in the years 2020 and 2023.
Regarding taking of other steps it was said that the Bathymetric Survey for scientific deweeding /dredging has been done, plantation of 160000 plants for treatment of catchment area has also been completed.
In the last two years one third of the lake has been rejuvenated, 6.5 Sqkm has been cleared off lily and the open expanse of the Dal Lake has been increased for the first time to more than 20.3 sq kms.
As far as the waste & sewage management is concerned it was added that a load of 48 MLD load has been calculated out of which 36 MLD is catered by 5 STPs to which all the houseboats have been connected.
About the dredging of the lake it was given out that 20 navigation channels of length of 10 km stands retrieved. About 150,000 cum of silt has been dredged out from the settling basin during in last two years, the meeting was informed.
