Kashmir Valley residents demand cleaner water channels

Srinagar, Aug.19 (ANI): Residents in the Kashmir Valley are demanding the cleaning of water channels flowing into lakes, which are heavily choked by weeds and garbage.

Weeds and trash hamper the smooth outflow of lake water into the River Jhelum and the Dal Lake.

The administration's failure to take notice of the problem has left residents angry, as they claim that there is a threat of them falling victims to water-borne diseases.

"The authorities are only focussing on Dal Lake in spite of having many other water bodies like Chuntkul and Chinar Bagh. Similarly, there are many other water channels. The concerned authorities have totally overlooked these channels," claimed Mohammad Yaqoob, a resident.

Tariq Ahmad Patloo, another resident, said he has formed a team of houseboat owners to remove weeds and garbage from the channels and improve the circulation of water through the lakes.

Houseboat owners were seen cleaning the canal as obnoxious weeds and polythene heaps were snaking around in the Chinar Park.

"We had approached the concerned authorities at least 10-15 times for the cleaning of Chinar Bagh because locals are settled around this water channel. The water is so polluted that water borne diseases are spreading. So, I took the initiative of cleaning the channel. I deployed people and started a five-day drive to clean this water channel. And the houseboat owners have pulled out heaps of garbage from the water channel," said Patloo.

Meanwhile, the Superintending Engineer at the Kashmir Irrigation and Flood Control Department, Fida Mohammad, said they are presently focussing on the River Jhelum and the Dal Lake, after which they will divert their attention to the small water bodies.

Chuntkul plays an important role in maintaining the level of the Dal Lake as the lake's water flows through the channel into River Jhelum.

Illegal construction on the banks of the Chuntkul channel was another problem, but after the intervention of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court in 2008, the structures were demolished.

Tourism is one of the biggest means of earning for people in the state. (ANI)