Mission Ehsaas has concluded: The show must go on!
When Nigeen Lake Conservation Organisation-NLCO headed by noted businessman and social worker Manzoor Ahmad Wangnoo began cleaning the Gilsar and Khushalsar lakes in Srinagar, I had never imagined that this operation would continue for almost 3 years. I have been following this sustainable mission from day one. Having noticed the zeal and enthusiasm of the entire NLCO team on the ground zero for almost a month I wrote a detailed piece on March 12th 2021 titled “ Mission Ehsaas to Clean Gilsar “ https://www.greaterkashmir.com/opinion/mission-ehsaas-to-clean-gilsar/
I thought the work would continue for a maximum of 6 months but I had never imagined the NLCO team would carry the mission forward and continue the restoration work for 2 years and 9 months. Seeing the commitment and dedication of the Mission Ehsaas team the Government also came to support this cause. The then Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Pandurang K Pole personally monitored the work and Commissioner SMC also supported the cause by providing trucks to carry the silt and waste dredged out of Gilsar Khushalsar lakes. The Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Vice Chairman Lakes Conservation and Management Authority-LCMA, Chief Engineer Irrigation and Flood Control department also were very supportive. Above all the locals of the area especially the residents of Zadibal, Gil Kadal, Zoonimar fully cooperated with team NLCO & Government. This became a successful public movement which was appreciated not only by the Lt Governor J&K Manoj Sinha even the Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke about this in his Man ki Baat programme last year in February.
LCMA take control of twin lakes
November 30th 2023 marked the culmination of Mission Ehsaas which is referred to as a community-led cleanliness campaign for the restoration of the Gilsar-Khushalsar twin urban lakes located in Srinagar’s old city.
During the event which marked the culmination of Mission Ehsaas a large number of local citizens, activists, members of Nigeen Lake Conservation Organisation -NLCO were present on the occasion along with Chairman of NLCO Manzoor Wangoo. During the event Manzoor Wangnoo expressed his gratitude to everyone who contributed towards Mission Ehsaas. He acknowledged the support he got from Divisional Commissioner’s office and Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) in removing more than 4000 truckloads of waste , silt and muck from the twin lakes. He also appreciated the Lake Conservation and Management Authority (LCMA) for ensuring the prevention of solid waste entering the lakes. Mr Wangnoo was optimistic as previous Chief Secretary Dr A K Mehta personally had assured sustainable restoration of Gilsar and Khushalsar lakes and it was due his efforts and cooperation from Vice Chairperson LCMA Dr Bashir that restoration work has been taken up by LCMA formally. Pertinently due to official apathy both the Gilsar and Khushalsar lakes were like cesspits. Calling them sar was like insulting lakes. The Erstwhile Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LWDA) which is now called LCMA was technically responsible for looking after lakes and waterways. But they had abandoned Gilsar and Khushalsar due to unknown reasons ? Similarly Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) and Urban Environmental Engineering Department (UEED) too had not taken steps to restore them in the past. Some restoration work was done in 2013 but the muck and trash excavated was dumped on its eastern shore. The elected Govt’s in the past didn’t want to annoy some families in the areas due to vote bank politics as they had encroached upon Gilsar and Khushalsar lakes. A land mafia had been working in the area in league with corrupt officials in the Revenue Department and SMC both. The Mission Ehsaas was not only a mission to clean and clear the twin lakes but this activated the Govt machinery as Divisional Commissioner , Deputy Commissioner and SMC Commissioner started personally monitoring the campaign. I remember when the aggrieved people went to the erstwhile Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA) in the past in connection with cleaning up of Khushalsar or Gilsar, the officers avoided them by saying that the area does not come under their jurisdiction ? But now the same institution which is named as LCMA has taken control of Khushal Sar Gilsar and I would suggest that they must take over Anchar lake as well.
Waste from Dal & Nigeen impacts Khushalsar Gilsar
Khushalsar and Gilsar lakes have been degraded mainly due to massive urbanization which caused heavy water pollution as there is no scientific liquid waste management system in place around the catchment areas of these twin lakes. The liquid waste , solid waste that comes from Dal and Nigeen lakes is also impacting Khushalsar and Gilsar lakes. As the water quality of the interconnected waterbodies has deteriorated, the pollutants carried through the chain of lakes reached Dal and Nigeen lakes and they impact Khushalsar and Gilsar as well. The entire lake ecosystem in Srinagar has been severely impacted which needs a sustainable solution. The poor water quality, impact on biodiversity, and increasing algal blooms in Dal and Nigeen lakes are also attributed to the poor water quality of Khushalsar and Gilsar lakes.
Success story of Nainital lake
The Naini lake in Nainital city of Uttarakhand state in the mid 1990s had turned into a cesspool and looked like a dirty pond. The liquid waste from the town had choked this lake as more than 50 drains would enter it directly. Ajay Rawat, a local environmental activist, decided to restore this lake. Rawat went to the Supreme Court and sought judicial intervention to restore Nainital lake. The authorities started acting with the help of scientists from G.B. Pant University. Desilting and deweeding work was carried out. A bio manipulation technique has been used to reintroduce indigenous fish species that had virtually disappeared. This helped revive aquatic life. Massive pumps have been set up around this lake which continue to throw atmospheric oxygen into the water. These pumps are running for 12 to 13 hours a day.
The involvement of local people especially the college students also played a great role in the revival of Naini lake. This became a people’s movement for over a decade as young students went for lake-cleaning every Sunday. Few months back I had myself visited Nainital along with my friends. We went around Naini lake and it looks perfectly clean and the local municipality is taking great care of it. I could see thousands of fish in this lake which adds to the beauty of this lake. I would suggest Lakes Conservation and Management Authority- LCMA to take similar initiative in restoring Khushalsar, Gilsar lakes. Involvement of the local population and students should be a prime focus of LCMA.
Conclusion
As Mission Ehsaas concluded successfully after almost 3 years of rigorous and sustainable work, I am sure Lakes Conservation and Management Authority-LCMA will continue the work in collaboration with all the stakeholders as they are experienced enough to do this work. The LCMA must demarcate the boundaries of Khushalsar and Gilsar lakes and prevent encroachments and safeguard ecological integrity from further infringements. All the encroachments should be removed and surrounding springs around Zadibal, Gil Kadal, Sazgaripora, Zoonimar should be restored. Proper sewage treatment plants (STPs) should be set up around the lakes to prevent water pollution contamination. Pumping atmospheric oxygen into Khushalsar and Gilsar lakes can also be explored like it is done in Naini lake in Nainatal. Under the smart city project the Khushalsar Gilsar lakes can be further developed by construction of jetties along the banks of these twin lakes which will boost tourism as well. Eco-friendly Cycle Tracks with lighting can also be designed and set up around these lakes. This will make these lakes look more beautiful. Lastly the traditional navigation routes should be opened which will help restore the sustainable water transport system.
Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat is an Acumen Fellow. He is Founder and Chairman J&K RTI Movement
