Indian Army sets out on mission to clean Srinagar's pride - Dal lake
Dal lake cleaning by army
The picturesque Dal lake, located at the foothills of the Himalayan mountain range, in Jammu and Kashmir is the second largest lake in the state. Throughout the year, millions of tourists visit the lake to enjoy the boat ride and stay in the houseboats. But for many years, the lake has been grappling with menacing growth of weed and Azolla (a type of aquatic fern).
Now, the Indian Army has started a 21-day-long cleaning drive with an aim to clean the lake by rooting out weed and Azolla that is growing inside the water body for years.
The temperature here has already dipped to -7 degrees Celsius and the Army is on a relentless mission to clean the pride of Srinagar.
In pictures: At -7.6 degrees, temperature breaks 28-year record in Srinagar
Around 100 army men and other equipment from the engineering unit of the Indian Army have been stationed at the lake with an aim to de-weed it. This was possible after state administration sought help from the Army.
Most of these army men have volunteered for cleaning the lake and belong to a local unit. As a pilot project, the aim is also to speed up the uprooting of the weed and identify the factors responsible for the growth of the pollutants. Here, these army men say they are ready to volunteer for more time if asked.
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"We are taking out the weed from roots by using the machine provided by local authorities, then our men take it out on their boats. Some of our men are taking them out manually using specific tools and methods, it's a difficult task in sub-zero temperature," said an army officer, who wasn't authorised to speak to media.
The total capacity of the lake has already gone down to 40 per cent and the continuing night soil discharged from around 900 houseboats is causing extreme pollution. The task for these men is tough in the rough weather conditions, the water is cold and freezing, yet the morale is high.
The Army is being assisted by the members Srinagar's municipality and lakes and waterways development authority who have also deployed their men and machinery into the service. Locals are also hailing the move taken up by the Army.
"As we know, Kashmir is known for its beauty, with time, the beauty is getting diminished. We have to take measures to save the lake. Indian Army and other organisations have joined hands for this wonderful initiative by taking the weed out from roots. We should appreciate them for this initiative," said a local.
In 1997, the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests launched the ‘Save Dal’ project worth Rs 500 crores, since then several projects worth millions have been launched but the result has been short-lived.
Authorities blame people for taking advantage of 2010, 2012 and 2016 summer unrestin the valley, leading to unabated constructions and growth in pollution. The cleaning operation will help clean the lake and restore its beauty which has been lost over the years.