No construction within 200 metres of lakes: LAWDA

SRINAGAR: Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA) has warned the people against carrying out any kind of construction within 200 metres of Dal Lake.

"The general public is asked not to undertake any kind of construction within 200 metres from the lake or green belts. Illegal construction if undertaken be demolished by the defaulter at his own level or else the authority will be left with no option but to demolish the illegal structures so raised," LAWDA said in a statement here.

The LAWDA issued the warning after it yesterday carried out a successful encroachment removal drive in the vicinity of holy Hazratbal Shrine, situated on the western shore of Dal Lake.

The LADWA demolition squad, in coordination with Muslim Waqf Board, demolished 30 illegal kiosks and other constructions near the shrine.

The Enforcement Wing of LAWDA also seized six truck-loads of construction material near Dalgate early this month and registered an FIR against the erring persons.

LAWDA has been created by the Government as an autonomous body in 1997 to serve as one point agency to look after, mange and conserve the water bodies and waterways in the state.

Dal and Nigeen Lakes at the moment form the core areas of attention of the authority which has a whole time mandate to conserve and mange the Lakes under National Lake Conservation Plan.