Syed Ali Safvi
SRINAGAR, May 20: Khush-hal Sar was once known for its mesmerising beauty and delicious fish. It was a preferred place for recreation. Its nilimbo (nadroo) was very famous and used to sell like hot cakes. The nadroos of Khush-hal Sar was much more in demand than of any other lake in the Valley. If senior residents of the area are to be believed, the lake generated nadroos amounting to more than Rs. 25 lakh per month.
"The soil beneath the water is so furtile that it still generates nadroos at few places," said Sajad Husain Khan.
The lake also hosted migratory birds, but with it having been reduced to a sewage reserviour even birds have bid farewell to the lake.
There were around 15 springs inside the lake, but almost all of them have dried up.
"I had made a request to our ex-MP to arrange some funds through MPLAD for the restoration of springs, and thankfully he arranged Rs five lacs for the same and I hope at least the springs can be restored now," said Ghulam Mohammad, ex-deputy Mayor SMC.
The other specialty of the Lake was its delicious fish.
"The fish of the lake was much in demand even up to early 1990's and was often presented as a gift on special occasions," said Joo.
Around 250 households living on the banks of the lake used to sell fish and nadroos to earn their livelihood.
Some of them now work as mechanics in automobile workshops and some sell vegetables to make their ends meet. Unable to cope with the present situation, some of them, particularly the youth, have taken to drugs.
On the other side of the Khush-hal Sar, in Saidpora, the lake has been almost completely filled and bungalows erected illegally inside its waters. Surprisingly, the governmnet has neither stopped nor removed the illegal construction.
"I smell something mischievous in the entire scheme of things. On one hand the government is shifting the Dal dwellers to restore Dal's pristine glory, and on the other hand it is turning blind eye on the illegal construction taking place inside Khush-hal Sar," said Ghulam Muhammad Joo, a senior resident of the area. "I get the feeling that even the government wants Khush-hal Sar to be extinct. I see a conspiracy in almost every policy that is being framed in the Valley today."
In October 2004, the then Minister for Forests, Environment, Wildlife, Housing & Urban Development Qazi Afzal had reportedly said that a detailed project report (DPR) regarding the conservation of the water body was being prepared.
"It (DPR) will take a month or two to complete and the funds will be allocated according to the project report," the minister was quoted.
Regarding lack of required funds, manpower and machinery to protect the lake, the minister had assured that the department would be provided machinery and all other logistical support for the job of saving the lake.
However, after more than four years nothing substantial has been done to preserve the lake, which is a part of Kashmir's rich heritage. The lake continues to narrate a dismal tale of government apathy.
It is pertinent to mention here that the government had announced to establish a a huge Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) of 132 MLD for Zone III of Greater Srinagar at Noor Bagh, where the sewage would be treated and then discharged into River Jhelum. When the project was approved in 1997-98, its estimated cost amounted to Rs. 23 crore and due to the appreciation in prices, the cost has now gone soaring to Rs. 45 crore.
The resdents of Khush-Hal Sar and adjacent areas had also established an NGO - Global Helpline - in 2000 to work for the preservation of the lake.
"Even after completing all the formalities the authorities denied to give recognition to the NGO," said Raja Ashraf Hussain.
Amidst promises made by the Government and the sorry state of affairs on the ground, Khush-hal Sar desperately needs a godfather that will restore its pristine glory. In the alternative, another gift of nature bestowed on our Valley is on the verge of being consigned to the dustbins of history.
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