With Khushalsar cleanliness drive on, Haneef Balkhi visits work, pledges full support

Srinagar, Mar 22: As the ongoing cleanliness drive of Khushalsar Lake is going on at full steam, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Srinagar Dr. Syed Haneef Balkhi Monday inspected the cleanliness operations in the lake and assured the administration’s full support in the conservation and protection of Srinagar’s critical water bodies.

Nigeen Lake Conservation Organization (NLCO), in support from the administration and local communities, has launched a community-led cleanliness drive of the lake. During his visit of the cleanliness drive, Dr Balkhi appreciated the efforts and the initiative of cleaning the Lake and also expressed the administration’s full support in the speedy cleanliness so that the lake’s glory and beauty is restored.

Appreciating the district administration support to the cleanliness drive, NLCO patron and philanthropist Manzoor Wangnoo, while expressing gratitude to Dr Balkhi, said that such cooperation and collaboration will go a long way in community assuming its responsibility in supporting governmental efforts in the upkeep of Kashmir’s water bodies.

On the occasion, Dr Balkhi said that Khushalsar is a lifeline for Dal and Anchar lakes of Srinagar, which are connected with it, but due to continuous disposal of waste items and garbage in the lake it has become polluted and that he has assured all support in the speedy cleanliness efforts to restore the pristine glory of the lake.

He further said that the concerned department will be directed to soon demarcate the lake’s boundaries and that anyone found making any encroachment will be dealt sternly as per the law.

Meanwhile, Nigeen Lake Conservation Organization and other civil society conservation and environment groups have requested the administration to lend cleaning machines to the current drive so that the cleanliness drive could be completed quickly and effectively.

“This campaign could set a precedent for similar public-private partnership in conservation and restoration. The fact is that such waterbodies need civil society and local communities to provide support to the administration. No one is here to take the credit for this work. It is simply for assuming our social responsibility to do some practical work in supporting conservation efforts”, Mr Wangnoo further said.

Meanwhile, ADC, Srinagar, Dr Balkhi has appealed the local residents to help the Srinagar administration to keep its water bodies safe and clean.

Note: Ziraat Times is a partner in this conservation drive of Srinagar’s water bodies, and is working hand in hand with several conservation organizations, including NLCO, in this crucial restoration and conservation work. We will be running extensive print and live video debate coverage of the conservation program of the Khushalsar lake.

With KNO inputs