Jammu and Kashmir government sets up panel to declare Dal Lake as ESZ

Jammu and Kashmir government has set up a ten-member committee to declare Srinagar's famous Dal Lake and its surrounding areas as an eco-sensitive zone (ESZ), following concerns over its shrinking size. Pollution and encroachments have resulted in Dal Lake shrinking from its original area of 22 square kilometers to about 10 square kilometers, according to an assessment by Dredging Corporation of India (DCI) in 2017.

DCI also found that world-famous lake's capacity has shrunk to about 40 per cent and that its water quality has deteriorated.

"Sanction is hereby accorded to constitution of a 10-member committee to finalise draft of tification for declaring Dal Lake and its surrounding areas as eco-sensitive zone," ditional Secretary of General ministrative Department (G) Subash Chibber said.

committee shall finalize draft tification within a period of one month, he said, ding that all facilities and infrastructure to committee shall be provided by Housing and Urban Development Department. committee comprises of Chief Conservator for Forests, Director of Tourism Department, Vice-Chairman of Lakes and Waterways Development Authority, Director of Industries Department, Commissioner of Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), Kashmir's Regional Wildlife Warden, Regional Director of State Pollution Control Board, Director of Agriculture Department, Chief Town Planner and a representative of Law Department, he said.

DCI assessment also found that intense pollution by untreated sew and solid wastes that flow into lake, encroachments of water channels and clogging has diminished circulation and inflows into lake, leing to extensive growth of weed water hyacinth which has emerged as a health hazard. Furr, it established that depth of lake has reduced at many places due to siltation and encroachment, and that continuing night soil discharge from 800 to 900 houseboats causes extreme pollution in water body.