Srinagar, May 23: As part of the activities planned for Swachhta Pakhwada (Cleanliness Fortnight), CENTRAL GOVERNMENT PENSIONERS’ WELFARE ASSOCIATION (Kashmir) participated in a Special Cleanliness Campaign at Khushalsar on Monday, in collaboration with Nagin Lake Conservation Organization.
For this purpose, prominent members, led by Mohammad Shafi Pandit, IAS (Rtd), President, CGPWA (K), proceeded to Khushalsar in the morning, where they were met by the representatives of NLCO, local residents, a huge group of students from schools and other stakeholders including a senior academician Dr Sanjay Gupta, Director, Centre for Water, Rishihood University and persons having hands on experience in the field of water bodies management.
The representatives of CGPWA (K), NLCO and several prominent local residents participated in the cleaning drive in shikaras and with help of the huge machine (Water Master), specially requisitioned for the cleaning campaign. They also visited the spot near Gil Kadal, where they were shown the patch of Khushal Sar which has recently been cleaned by NLCO at huge cost of time and effort, which offered great hope for achieving the goal of restoring, protecting and preserving the water bodies in the heart of Srinagar city, by synergising the limited resources available.
After participating in the cleanliness drive, a meeting for creating awareness of the budding youth and recognition of the committed activists was held at Kashmir Mahal, Nishat, where the bottlenecks witnessed in carrying out an effective cleaning drive, and steps to be taken for making such drives sustainable in the long term, were identified.
Briefing the media representatives present on the occasion, the President CGPWA (Kashmir) stated that the Association had assured the representatives of NLCO of their fullest support in carrying out their noble mission, by providing some financial support within their limited means as well as canvassing support at appropriate levels in the government and public level. He also mentioned that the Association would recommend the project to brought under the umbrella of a Public Private Partnership Project.
Those present on the occasion included Mr GH Kango, former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, G Q Bacha, former Commissioner, Shabir Mujahid, Qaiser Qalander, G. M Wani, Secy CGPWA (K), AS Lone, SD Bajad, G. M. Mir, A. S. Bhat, M. A. Mehtab and other senior officers from various services. Noted social activist Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat also spoke on the occasion.
In his vote of thanks, Manzoor A Wangnoo, Chairman NLCO, thanked the participants of today’s program, especially Mohammad Shafi Pandit, and his colleagues at CGPWA (K), the students from various schools, Sanjay Gupta, Director, Centre for Water, Rishihood University and other stakeholders from the locality, for taking the pains to make today’s program a success. Mr Wangnoo also expressed his gratitude to Ms Haleema Shabir for her continued support in carrying out the restoration work in Khushalsar lake. He also expressed thanks to the Divisional Commissioner for the cooperation he has been extending from time to time in giving support to NLCO.
