Lakes Authority speeds up Khushalsar-Gilsar conservation, orders faster demarcation

Srinagar, July 9: Vice Chairman of the Lake Conservation & Management Authority (LCMA), Khurshid Ahmad Shah, on Thursday reviewed conservation works at the Khushalsar-Gilsar lake system and directed officials to expedite demarcation, deploy cleaning machinery without delay, and prepare a proposal for fencing vulnerable stretches to prevent encroachments.

In a statement issued to press, a spokesperson said the Vice Chairman was accompanied by the Superintending Engineer, Collector, Executive Engineers, Assistant Executive Engineers (AEEs), Junior Engineers (JEs), Revenue officials and other officers of the Authority.

The spokesperson said the Vice Chairman conducted a comprehensive on-the-spot review of the demarcation exercise being carried out by field teams. He inspected the identified land parcels and assessed the progress made on the ground.

Stressing the importance of clearly establishing the boundaries of the water bodies and their protected areas, he directed the demarcation teams to expedite the pegging and marking of all identified land to ensure proper identification, protection and effective monitoring of these ecologically significant assets.

Interacting with the field staff, the Vice Chairman emphasized the need for sustained vigilance and coordinated efforts in carrying out conservation activities. He instructed the concerned officers to ensure that the demarcation work is completed in a time-bound manner while maintaining complete accuracy and transparency.

He further directed that regular inspections be conducted to prevent any encroachment or unauthorized activity within the demarcated areas.

Reviewing the condition of the water body, the Vice Chairman directed that the Water Master and barge be mobilized and shifted to the Khushalsar-Gilsar lake system on priority so that cleaning and restoration activities can be intensified without delay.

He stressed that all necessary logistical arrangements should be made immediately to ensure that the machinery becomes operational at the earliest.

The spokesperson said the Vice Chairman also reviewed the existing protective measures along vulnerable stretches of the Khushalsar-Gilsar lake system. Recognizing the need to strengthen the physical protection of the lake boundaries, he directed the Engineering Wing of LCMA to immediately prepare a detailed proposal for installing chain-link fencing at identified vulnerable locations.

He observed that appropriate fencing would help secure the demarcated land, discourage encroachments and support the long-term preservation and restoration of the water bodies.

Reiterating the Authority’s commitment to conserving the Khushalsar-Gilsar lake system, the Vice Chairman said LCMA remains dedicated to protecting these important urban wetlands through scientific management, continuous monitoring, infrastructure development and active field-level interventions.

He said the restoration and safeguarding of these water bodies are vital for maintaining ecological balance, improving the urban environment and preserving the natural heritage of the Kashmir Valley for future generations—(KNO)