Govt formulates comprehensive plan for development of Dal lake

JAMMU: The Jammu and Kashmir government has formulated a comprehensive plan for the development of Dal lake and rehabilitation of the people living in and around the famous tourist attraction.

State's Minister for Horticulture, Public Health Engineering and Irrigation Mohammad Dilawar Mir told the legislative council that all the structures within the Dal lake would be removed.

For the rehabilitation of the people living in the lake, certain sites have been identified, he said while replying to a question by PDP legislator Nizam-Ud-Din Bhat.

JK Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA) is monitoring Dal lake conservation and management programme under centrally-sponsored national lake conservation programme for which Rs 298 crore has been provided by Union Ministry of Environment and Forests.

Mir said for conservation of other water bodies in the state, an action plan of Rs 386 crore has been prepared by the wildlife protection department.

A development authority has also been set up for conservation of Manasbal and Wular lakes.

As regards lakes in Ladakh, there was no immediate threat to them, he said adding wildlife protection department has submitted a comprehensive action plan for Rs 26.28 crore in case of Tso-Moriri lake in Ladakh.

A similar action plan for Rs 6.91 crore has also been submitted to the Union Ministry for lakes in Jammu division, he said.