Pristine glory of Gillsar, Khushalsar will be restored: Div Com Kashmir

27 February 2021

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SRINAGAR, FEB 27: The Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Pandurang K. Pole, accompanied by the Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, today, visited Gilkadal Nowshehra and took stock of restoration works of Gillsar, a lake connected to Khushalsar at Gil-Kadal, to take first hand assessment of the ongoing cleaning
operation initiated by Nigeen Lake Conservation Organisation (NLCO) in collaboration with the administration.

The Khushalsar cleaning initiative is part of the MISSION AHSAAS project initiated by NLCO to
retrieve and restore the vital water body of Khushalsar.

Divisional Commissioner passed on-spot directives to different allied departments to chip in with their men and machinery to help support this cause and help restore this waterbody to its pristine condition.

Mr Pole, on the occasion, spoke to the local people who were present in large numbers and assured them that government will provide all its help to revive the lake. He also requested the locals to maintain the aesthetics of the lake. Divisional Commissioner also took some time out of his busy schedule and visited Nallah Amir Khan. Pertinent to mention that Nallah Amir Khan is a major stream which flows from Nigeen Lake towards Khushalsar and cleaning of this stream is of paramount
importance for both Nigeen and Dal Lake.

Divisional commissioner on the occasion inaugurated the excavating machine installed by NLCO in order to expedite the cleaning process.

Speaking at the occasion, Chairman NLCO Manzoor
Ahmad Wangnoo expressed his deepest gratitude to Divisional Commissioner for his commitment
and dedication who visited Khushalsar today despite inclement weather. He also thanked him for
inaugurating the excavating machine. Mr. wangnoo requested Divisional commissioner that in order to achieve a comprehensive restoration few following things needs to be addressed at the earliest:

a) Assignment of Water-master is the most important requirement which would help clear the
muck, Radhs and other accumulated mass as our volunteers won’t be able to manually remove
these. For this either LWDA or Flood and Irrigation department needs to be instructed to send a
water master.
b) Demarcation of the boundaries.
c) Restarting the partially executed and suspended work of the peripheral sewerage scheme by
UEED.
d) Construction of STP which needs to be completed for desired results of sewage interception,
diversion and treatment.
e) Removing and retrieving the encroached are of the lake.
f) 24×7 vigilance mechanism to prevent reclamation.
g) Repair of water lock gates for better navigation.
h) Clearing and cleansing the muck of vital water channels like Nallah Amir Khan and Khojyarbal
for free flow of water from Nigeen & Dal Lake towards Khushalsar/Gilsar.
i) Proper fencing so that people abstain from throwing garbage in the lake.
j) Installation of Dustbins & proper disposal of the same.

In light of the above requests, Divisional Commissioner issued on spot directives to different heads of departments like, SMC , UEED & Irrigation etc and instructed them for a time bound progress
of the restoration / cleaning of Khushalsar.