UNICEF, ENEX and the Dal dilemma: What we knew since 1980

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By: Er. Mohammad Ashraf Fazili (Former Chief Engineer)

In 1980 a seminar on Dal Lake was organised by the University of Kashmir and Department of Environment Government of India in which many heads of the concerned departments participated. Many papers were presented and I too as Xen UEED submitted a ten-point action plan.

In 1983 workshop on Dal Lake Srinagar was held at Pahalgam organised by UNICEF in collaboration with UEED in which I too participated. Many more seminars/workshops were followed since then and attention of the Govt. was drawn towards the alarming deterioration of the water quality and the surroundings of the Dal Lake including the problems caused by the Dal dwellers and the Houseboat owners.

Consultants from New ze land presented a comprehensive report called ENEX Report that formed the basis of the future action plan of the Dal Development. The UEED headed by Er. G.R. Mir was charged with the job of restoration of Dal Lake besides framing the DPR for the Sewerage & Drainage of Greater Srinagar City, DPR for Solid Waste Disposal Scheme for Greater Srinagar City, Low Cost Sanitation Project of Srinagar City in collaboration with UNICEF besides Development of Small & Medium Towns in J&K State in collaboration with UNDP.

Many writeups appeared in various dailies and magazines about the alarming situation of the pollution of Dal Lake and other water bodies of J&K State. I reproduce here one such writeup that I published in a booklet namely : “Srinagar-the Sun City-What it should be” and I quote:

How grateful should we all be to God almighty for selecting this State for an abundance of clean and sweet water in the shape of springs, lakes, rivers and tanks. These and other bewitching objects of nature moved Jahangir so much that he said, “If at all there is a paradise on the surface of earth, it is here, it is here, it is here.”

The vale of Kashmir is compared with Switzerland and Venice. The Dal Lake, Nigeen Lake, Anchar Lake, Khushhal Sar, Kute Khul, Chownti Khul, Nallah Doodganga and erstwhile Nallah Mar are the main water spots in the city of Srinagar. The Dal Lake and river Jhelumare the heart and soul of the city. The lake of Dal has been a source of attraction for tourists, home and abroad. The reflection of electric lamps in the lake water from the houseboats in the moon-lit night enhances its beauty all the more and one feels as if one is transported to some fabulous city of Arabian Nights. The beauty of the lake is especially heightened by the towering mountains around it and the famous Mughal gardens on its eastern shore.

The city is connected with the Mughal gardens by a boulevard around the lake. The lotus flowers in autumn decorate the surface of the lake which presents an unforgettable sight. A ride in a Shikara in the lake puts the sides under a marginal spell, especially when the tall safedas and snow-capped mountains are reflected in the clean water of the lake.

It is stated in Tarikh-i-Hasan that in ancient times, this area was a vast land and was known as Talnimarg. Raja Parvarsen constructed a bund near Nowpora and made the RiverJhelum to flow at the base of Koh-i-Maran (Hari Parbat) and through the city of Srinagar and after some time the bund got dismantled and the river water flowed in to this vast field converting it in to a vast lake. The rulers of the time made no attempt to change its position. Sultan Sikandar got a bund or a pathway to lay pipe line of straw constructed through the lake from Naidyar to Nishat which has remained untouched till date. Yousuf Khan got another bund constructed from Khojayarbal to Ashaibagh which is now known as Nigeen Road that leads to the Hazratbal. In this way the entire lake has divided into three parts. Big Dal the area before the Shrine, the small Dal stretching from Nehru Park to the Nishat Garden and the Nigeen Lake in the eastern side of Koh-i-Maran, the deepest portion of all the three parts of the Dal. Subsequently encroachments were made by the interested people and parts of the Dal were occupied by some and began to cultivate vegetables in the area and even made floating fields which too are used for growing vegetables. The water of these lakes was so clean that a fish could be detected swimming at the bottom of the lake. There are four big springs in the lake, besides, small ones, which are supposed to be the source of perennial fresh water to the lake, in addition to the Telbal Nala which comes from Marsar and other tributaries.

Sona Lank and Rupa Lank, two islands in the midst of Dal Kalan and Dal Khurd, were constructed by Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin and Hasan Shah respectively. The Dal was linked with the River Jhelum via Habba Kadal but Badshah got it closed up and connected the Dal with Jhelum via erstwhile Nallah Mar. In summer Dal water was used to irrigate Achan area and in winter Chownti Khul linked it with Jhelum.

In the same way Anchar Sar which is situated in North of Srinagar City was four miles long to two miles broad but is converted into a marshy area now.

 Besides some area of the lake is coming up as a housing colony on Gadoora side. The lakes of Gilsar and Khushhal Sar were connected to it. The Dal was finally connected with the Anchar Sar.

There was another lake in the southern side of the city at Srinagar called Rakh Gund-i-Ake Shah which is now a new housing colony coming up. In the middle of the city Brarinumbal which contained once pure and clean water is breathing its last like Anchar Sar. Nalla Mar has been filled in and the refuse of the first part of the city for which Nala Mar was a drain is now deposited in the Dal and making it all the more polluted.

The Dal is facing grave and serious problems these days. The total area of 21 Sq. miles of the Dal has considerably shrunk and most of the present area is under cultivation of vegetables etc.

Following are the factors responsible for changing the Dal into the unclean marshy area:

01. Draining and depositing all refuse, sewage into the lake from the adjacent areas.

02. The absence of any proper arrangement to drain the sewage from the ever-growing number of house boats in the lake.

03. Encroachments and construction of house boats and hotels in the area by using various devices of filling.

Experts have given the following suggestions in view of the financial difficulties involved in it:

a) A mall road to be constructed on the northern and western sides of the Lake to preserve the extant of the lake.

b) Houseboats to be suitably placed when the sewerage facilities would be provided to the all.

c) The control of the flow of water of the Lake by a controlling gate on Nalla Amir Khan and make more openings in the interior bunds of the Lake

d) Construct a settling basin at the end of Telbal Nallah.

e) Plantation in Dachigam and on the banks of Telbal Nallah

f) To remove soil near the shallow banks of the Lake and

g) Allow permission of constructing houses near the bank of the Lake under a plan.

The estimated cost of this project is Rs. 64 crores and the w\ork was taken in hand in 1978 in view of financial difficulties, the centre is considering help from the international agencies.

The scheme being of vital nature in view of tourist importance and environmental balance to be maintained in future.

Like the Dal Lake other waterways, Jhelum etc., are subjected to pollution for want of proper drainage and sewerage system. The common people add more to this atmosphere by throwing their refuse on the roadside or deposit it in the existing drains which is by and large the main source of various diseases to epidemics. To control such diseases the Govt. has to spend large sums. It is of utmost importance to concentrate on preventive measures than cure. Diseases waste our time and adversely affect our economy and in case we cannot keep these water reserves clean; it is bound to bear bitter fruits in the field of tourism. This indifferent and careless attitude of the people and other agencies is bound to, in case it is not checked by the Govt. now, make the river Jhelum and the Dal Lake also die the same death as was met by the Brar-i-Numbal which receives all the filth of the city and carries it to the Dal water. No doubt the Govt. Has taken in hand the project of constructing a drainage system around Brar-i-Numbtl, but it can not be unless common people are educated to preserve such a priceless treasure of Kashmir.

The Govt. has approved a scheme for drainage and sewerage for Srinagar which will cost about 118 crores of rupees, but for shortage of funds, only a crore is spent on the project every year.

In the absence of an elaborate system of drainage and sewerage system there is another way to dispose of sewage of the city which pollutes, the atmosphere and causes many diseases and that is the construction of soakage pits and septic tanks. But such method is also beyond the reach of a common man as it costed rupees eight to ten thousand rupees per point (now the prices have shot up)

Now a third way, which incurs comparatively all over India. About 40,000 units were constructed in Patna (Bihar) and many of them are located in densely populated areas. This is known as Pour Flush Latrine. It consists of a squatting pan of a specific design and a trap having 20 mm water seal. This is so designed that the refuse of a person can be flushed by 2 litres of water. The squatting pan can be connected to leaching pit through a pipe or a covered drain. These pits are lined with honey comb brick work or open jointed stones, so as to allow liquid in the pits to percolate and gases to be absorbed in the soil. The sludge gets digested and settles down gradually.

The pits are used alternatively, when one pit is filled, it is stopped being used and the excreta is diverted to the second pit. The filled-up pit is left unused for 24 months and the ingredients become rich organic humus harmless and without smell and the pit can be reused when the second one is filled up. With simple care, the Pour Flush Latrine is very satisfactory and a hygienic system It can be reused when the second one is filled up. With simple care, the Pour Flush Latrine is very satisfactory and hygienic system. It can be located safely in a house.

Such Pour Flush Latrines have been constructed and were in use at Tankipora, Zaindar Mohalla Lal Bazar, Bagwanpora and Fort area with the cooperation and assistance of UEED and UNICEF

Similarly in the absence of any elaborate arrangements, the household garbage, filth and refuse which has choked our drains, lakes and rivers can be safely deposited in a pit 1mx1mx1 ½m near our houses or yards covered with a lid. The deposited material can be used as a manure after some time. This arrangement would considerably reduce the burden of garbage collection by SMC.

This way and other such ways we could maintain the universal fame of our valley as well as the balance in our environmental atmosphere.

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