Gilsar–Khushalsar: Urban Lakes Waiting for Their Turn

The twin urban lakes of Gilsar and Khushalsar, once shimmering jewels of Srinagar’s aquatic heritage, continue to stand at the crossroads of hope and neglect. A landmark decision by the administration to hand over these waterbodies to the Lake Conservation & Management Authority (LCMA) was widely welcomed. It reflected the government’s conviction that with professional management and ecological sensitivity, these lakes could be brought back from the brink.

However, since that order was passed, no substantial or concrete action has been taken on ground to match the urgency the situation demands. The deployment of a Watermaster machine was seen as a step in the right direction and a powerful tool that could begin large-scale dredging and desilting. Yet, weeks after its deployment, it lies idle and unused. Such inaction threatens to undo the tremendous gains made over the past four years.

Under Mission Ehsaas, a community-driven initiative launched by NLCO, these waterbodies witnessed an unprecedented revival. It was not just about lake cleaning, it was about reconnecting the people of Srinagar to their lost heritage. With immense support from the administration and civil society, we worked shoulder-to-shoulder with citizens, students, stakeholders, and volunteers to remove over 5,000 truckloads of muck and solid waste, reclaiming the lakes from choking neglect, which was disposed off by SMC (Kudos to them for their support).

This movement even received national attention. The Hon’ble Prime Minister of India lauded our efforts in his Mann Ki Baat broadcast. The Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir not only appreciated the initiative in his Awaam ki Awaaz address, but also personally inaugurated Phase 4 of Mission Ehsaas for the revival of the Sazgaripora side of Khushalsar in 2024, joined by the Secretary H&UDD, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Commissioner SMC, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, and VC LCMA.

Despite these endorsements and the goodwill of countless supporters, it now appears that Gilsar and Khushalsar are once again drifting into oblivion. After four and a half years of sustained operations, our NGO has reached the limits of its capacity. These lakes now require a full-fledged, government-led revival plan, backed by long-term vision and urgent implementation.

The Detailed Project Report (DPR) has already been prepared. What remains is the execution.

Short-Term Measures That Must Be Taken Now:

1. Demarcation of lake boundaries to prevent further encroachments
2. Removal of solid waste from the lake surface and surroundings
3. Immediate activation of the Watermaster equipment to begin mechanical dredging

Long-Term Measures That Are Crucial for Sustainability:

1. Retrieval of encroached lake areas
2. Construction of jetties to promote eco-tourism and water transport
3. Connecting all drains to STPs (Sewage Treatment Plants)
4. Restoration of choked and buried natural springs feeding the lake
5. Deployment of more dredging equipment for systematic desiltation
6. Hydrological interventions at Nallah Amir Khan and Vicharnag
7. Development of eco-friendly cycle tracks along the periphery
8. Revival of traditional navigation routes for heritage linkage
9. Raising of bridges (from Pokhribal via Nallah Amir Khan to Khushalsar) under the Smart City initiative to allow smooth boat passage
10. Utilisation of dredged material for island creation and ecological landscaping within the lakes

The vision for Gilsar–Khushalsar is not just one of conservation, but of restoration, heritage preservation, community pride, and ecotourism revival.

The revival of Gilsar and Khushalsar holds immense potential for revitalizing local tourism. These serene waterbodies, once bustling with life and activity, can once again become vibrant tourism hotspots. Their rejuvenation will not only reconnect the people with nature and their aquatic heritage but also open new avenues for eco-tourism, including Shikara rides, bird watching, water trekking, and cultural heritage tours. Much like the Dal and Nigeen Lakes, these twin lakes have the potential to host sustainable tourism models that generate livelihoods, promote conservation, and attract tourists seeking authentic Kashmiri experiences. Their revival could be the gateway to an entirely new circuit of urban lake tourism in Srinagar.

The window of opportunity is narrow, and these lakes cannot be allowed to return to their orphaned state. On behalf of all those who have toiled for this cause, I urge the government to take swift, bold, and committed steps to implement the DPR and ensure the revival of these urban lakes before it is too late.

The people of Srinagar, the children who come to plant saplings, the elderly who once rowed their boats through these waters, and the younger generation seeking spaces of pride, they all await action.

Let Gilsar and Khushalsar breathe and shine again as symbols of ecological restoration.

 Manzoor Wangnoo, Chairman, Nigeen Lake Conservation Organisation (NLCO)