Curtailing encroachments: Govt orders drone survey of Dal, Nigeen lakes

SRINAGAR: The government on Friday ordered to carry out a drone survey of the famed Dal and Nageen Lake to ascertain the level of encroachments and illegal constructions in the interior areas.
In order to curb encroachments and prevent illegal constructions in Nigeen and Dal Lakes, the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole chaired a meeting here.
Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar Dr Shahid Iqbal Chowdhury, Vice Chairman LAWDA, Tufail Matto, officers of Police and Security agencies besides other concerned were present in the meeting.
During the meeting, threadbare deliberations were held on conservation and safeguarding of Dal and Nigeen Lakes, and the measures being taken to curb illegal constructions and encroachments.
It was given out that in compliance to the High Court directions a Drone survey will be conducted to identify the encroachments and illegal constructions inside Dal and Nigeen Lake including peripheral area of 200 meters.
The meeting was told that during the survey photography and videography of all the structures inside and around periphery of Lake upto 200 meters from the Lake fringe would be done while Lakes and Waterways Authority(LAWDA) has been asked to provide all necessary assistance in carrying out the exercise.
On the occasion, the Divisional Commissioner asked the officers to take on board all the concerned and carry out the proposed work in a time bound manner. He also directed them to complete all formalities before undertaking the activity for its smooth completion.
Meanwhile, in pursuance to the order passed by National Green Tribunal(NGT) regarding preservation of Wular Lake, Hokersar and Kreentchoo-Chandhara wetlands, the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir,Pandurang K Pole chaired another meeting to review the conservation and preservation measures being taken for water bodies in Kashmir.
Director Urban Local Bodies, Kashmir, Director Industries, Chief Executive Officer WUCMA, Director Rakhs and Farms, Regional Wildlife Warden, besides officers of LAWDA and Revenue development were present in the meeting. While the Deputy Commissioners of Srinagar, Bandipora, Baramulla, Budgam, Pulwama participated in the meeting through video Conference.
The meeting discussed threadbare various issues regarding the wetlands/water bodies and the measures being taken for preservation and safeguarding Wular Lake, Hokersar and Kreentcho Chandhara wetlands in light of NGT directions.
The Div Com directed the Deputy Commissioner of Srinagar, Budgam, Bandipora to take all preventive measures for conservation of water bodies. He called for carrying mass awareness campaign regarding conservation of wetlands by involving community. He said that there will be no compromise on environment conservation.
He also directed the DCs to take up the demarcation process and remove all encroachments and simultaneously undertake work for record correction so that record is restored to original contents.
Pole directed the concerned Deputy Commissioners, WUCMA, and Wildlife authorities to ensure that no encroachments are allowed along the peripheries of water bodies besides install sign boards to littering in and around the lake and wetlands. He directed for taking strict action under law against the violators.
He exhorted upon the officers to work in synergy so that tangible results are achieved.