The administration of the Kashmir division has set a series of deadlines that aim to conserve and beautify the Dal Lake, the anchor piece of the region’s tourism industry which has faced decades of mismanagement.

The high-level meeting, chaired by Division Commissioner, Kashmir, Baseer Khan, directed officials to work on set deadlines on the projects that included cleaning the lake, land acquisition and the beautification plan.

Khan ordered the Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Commissioner, SMC, and Vice-Chairman, Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA), to clean the western side of the lake by or before February 25. “Provide a Tipper and loader along with manpower to LAWDA within two days which shall shift the waste (and) weed from the specific points,” the minutes of the meeting read.

The Dal Lake, nestled in the north-east part of Srinagar city and spread over 21.1 sq km, is in the heart of region’s tourism industry and is linked to livelihood of thousands of people.

The lake has suffered extensively over the past decades due to increasing encroachment, human interference, pollution and failure of successive governments to implement remedies.

The latest effort to safeguard and beautify the lake has been initiated by Lt-Governor Girish Chandra Murmu, who earlier this week chaired a review meeting of the projects and issues regarding the lake.

The Divisional Commissioner ordered the officers to complete acquisition proceedings of land at Dole Demb “by or before” March 31. “In case of resistance during the process of land acquisition, the DC, Srinagar, shall be immediately approached,” the order said.

Khan also ordered that the beautification plan should be made part of the Smart City plan and the calendar of activities should be undertaken by LAWDA in consultation with the Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar.

“Smart carts shall be provided by the DC, Srinagar, to Dal dwellers in consultation with the Vice-Chairman, LAWDA, by or before March 1,” Khan said.

Khan also directed the Collector, LAWDA, to complete the survey of Dal dwellers within one week for submission to the CEO, Smart City project.

The official also directed that the Sewerage Treatment Plant at Lam Nishat should be completed by July-August this year. TNS