Mission Ehsaas has not concluded

Last year when the Mission Ehsaas work launched by Chairman Nigeen Lake Conservation Organisation (NLCO) Manzoor Ahmad Wangnoo came to an end, I had written a piece on December 9^th 2023 titled as “ Mission Ehsaas has concluded, The show must go on” https://www.greaterkashmir.com/editorial-page-3/mission-ehsaas-has-concluded-the-show-must-go-on/

I had never imagined Manzoor sahib would continue with this show himself with his team of dedicated volunteers. The mission has now entered phase IV which was inaugurated by the Lieutenant Governor (LG) of J&K Shri Manoj Sinha himself on June 5^th this year on the eve of world environment day in the heart of DownTown Srinagar at Sazgaripora. This was the first kind of such event in the old city wherein we saw the presence of the highest authority of J&K administration. This is indeed a very welcome step and this has boosted not only the morale of the NLCO volunteers but has encouraged other green activists working in Kashmir.

Background of Mission Ehsaas

The Mission Ehsaas is a dedicated environmental campaign that was launched in February 2021 by Chairman NLCO Manzoor Wangnoo & his volunteers with the sole objective of restoring and conserving the Gilsar and Khushalsar lakes. This mission has been instrumental in addressing environmental degradation, creating awareness, public private partnership and promoting sustainable practices.

Both Gilsar & Khushal Sar lakes had been turned into a cesspit until a few years back. Calling it a sar was like an insult to the name – lake or sar. The authorities at helm in the past had abandoned both these water bodies. Neither LCMA, nor Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) or Urban Environmental Engineering Department (UEED) had taken steps to restore Gilsar & Khushal Sar lakes. In the recent past some work was done in 2013 but the muck and trash excavated was dumped on its eastern shore which should have been taken out.

The Phase-4 of Mission Ehsaas which was inaugurated by the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir Shri Manoj Sinha on world environment day this year marks a significant milestone in the campaign for restoration of waterbodies by the NLCO team. The presence of the entire administration has reinforced the commitment of the administration to support and collaborate on environmental conservation. Since its inception, Mission Ehsaas has achieved substantial progress. Some of the major achievements of Mission Ehsaas are:

- Significant reduction of solid waste and debris from water bodies.

- Enhanced participation from local stakeholders and communities.

- Increased awareness and educational initiatives about sustainable practices.

- Restoration of the ecological balance in targeted areas.

Suggestions

To ensure the sustained success of Mission Ehsaas following actions are proposed by team NLCO which can be taken up by the Government

1. Handing over the twin urban lakes Gilsar & Khushal Sar to a competent authority like the J&K Lake Conservation & Management Authority ( LCMA).
2. Dredging, boundary demarcation, and removal of debris and solid waste & retrieving water bodies by removing encroachments and restoring their original expanse.
3. Connecting drains with sewage treatment plants (STPs) to prevent contamination and eutrophication of water
4. Restoration of choked springs that have been buried and encroached in and around Sazgaripora, Zadibal, Khushal Sar, Gilsar, Gilkadal areas
5. Constructing jetties on the banks for tourism and recreation & developing dedicated cycle tracks around the water bodies for eco-friendly transportation.
6. Reopening traditional navigation routes to promote sustainable transportation and cultural tourism & deploying machines for continuous dredging operations throughout the year.
7. Implementing measures to arrest muck flow from Nallah Amir Khan and Vicharnag & raising existing bridges from Pokribal via Nallah Amir Khan to Gilsar-Khushalsar up to Saidapora under the Smart City initiative to allow shikaras to move freely. This will promote water trekking, bird watching, and other eco-tourism activities, enhancing the overall experience and accessibility of these water bodies.

Conclusion

Now I am of the opinion that Mission Ehsaas has not concluded and it will never come to a halt. After 3 ½ years since this programme was launched I can say with authority that this campaign will turn out to be a People’s Campaign and its impact will be seen in other parts of Srinagar and Kashmir valley in the years to come.

Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat is an Acumen Fellow. He is Founder / Chairman J&K RTI Movement and Anant Fellow for Climate Action