Houseboat policy
Jammu and Kashmir administration has recently framed the new policy for the houseboats and they have been asked to get themselves re-registered within a month so that the government can implement its vision to give a new shape to this profession in both Nigeen and Dal Lake.
The policy envisages providing a pleasant experience to tourists and sustainable source of living to stakeholders while preserving the fragile ecosystem of these two water bodies.
However, the government has capped the number of houseboats in both lakes at 910. Under the new policy, the houseboats are required to be registered online subject to the fulfillment of various conservation parameters; within 30 days from the date notification of the policy and the stakeholders may need more time as they are busy to keep their houseboats ready for the tourists.
According to the new policy of the government all the houseboats and associated structures are required to be fitted with bio-digesters for scientific treatment of solid/liquid waste as per the approved design of the Lakes and Waterways Development Authority.
The news policy of the government has also made new regulations for ancillary facilities like kitchen, lodging, furniture, first-aid, electricity, power back-up, sanitary fittings and shikara for navigation. It also ensures availability of minimum basic facilities to the tourists to be categorized on the basis of different classes of houseboats.
