Srinagar, Sep 3: Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs Javed Ahmed Rana on Thursday reviewed pollution concerns in Dal Lake and the measures being taken for its protection, conservation and restoration.

Chairing a meeting with senior officials, Rana stressed that protecting the iconic water body requires sustained coordination among government agencies as well as active public participation.
“Dal Lake is an invaluable ecological, cultural and tourism asset of Kashmir. Its protection is a shared responsibility,” Rana said, calling for immediate as well as long-term measures to curb pollution and preserve the lake’s ecological health.
Officials informed the Minister that sewage entering the lake is being treated through existing arrangements. They further apprised him that a 30 MLD sewage treatment plant is under construction under the AMRUT scheme and is expected to be completed within two years.
The meeting reviewed several ongoing interventions, including regular removal of encroachments, daily waste collection, deweeding and conversion of aquatic weeds into bio-fertilisers. Enforcement measures are also being undertaken to check activities contributing to pollution and degradation of the lake.
Rana directed the concerned departments to strengthen pollution-control measures, improve inter-agency coordination and ensure regular monitoring of water quality. He also called for identification of pollution hotspots to enable timely corrective action.
Emphasising the need for a multi-pronged conservation strategy, the Minister highlighted wastewater treatment, solid-waste management, encroachment removal, deweeding, pollution monitoring and strict enforcement as key priorities.
He also stressed sustained public awareness and participation, particularly among communities and stakeholders living around and dependent on Dal Lake.
Rana directed all concerned agencies to remain closely engaged and ensure that ongoing short- and long-term interventions produce visible and sustained improvement in the ecological health of Dal Lake.