Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment, Ch. Lal Singh on Sunday said that conservation and preservation of Asia’s largest fresh water Wular Lake to its pristine glory would give boost to the State’s eco-tourism.Chairing a meeting convened here today to review the functioning of Wular Conservation and Management Authority (WUCMA), Ch. Lal Singh said that government would work tirelessly for the conservation of the World Famous Lake. He said that bringing back the pristine glory of the lake is the highest priority of the Government, saying said the forest Department would be revitalized with the revival such places.A detailed power point presentation was made on the various activities carried out by the Authority during last 5-years for the long-term conservation, eco-restoration and preservation of the Wular Lake and its associated ecosystems and the achievements and milestones achieved by the Authority during last five years (2011-2016).
The meeting was informed that dredging operations carried out within the critically silted areas of Wular lake and vital feeder channel (Naaz Nallah) to the extent of approximately ten lakh cubic meters has successfully been accomplished so far which has resulted in enhancement of the water holding capacity of the water body significantly over an area of more than one square kilometre. Demarcation of the lake too has been carried out using latest GPS/Remote Sensing technology and accordingly the total area of the lake has been determined which is 130 square kms at present as per revenue records, of which 27-square kms of lake area is critically silted and an area of more than one square km has been fully restored back to its original position.The Minister said that all the fishing rights within Wular Lake would be regulated by the WUCMA. He said that the shortage of manpower and resources in the authority would be addressed expeditiously. He expressed his satisfaction over the achievements made by the authority so far and advised the concerned to work with zeal and dedication to achieve the targets. He assured that all constraints regarding the funding, manpower, infra-structure and other issues will be resolved immediately.
The meeting was informed that the Authority also carries out the conservation operations for the rehabilitation & mass greening of the direct catchment of the Wular Lake which is comprised of the highland areas of Erin & Madhumati watersheds in district Bandipora. During the last 5-years, the Authority has planted more than 12 lakh saplings of vital species of conifers and broadleaved plants in these highly degraded catchment areas, besides carrying out soil erosion & landslide control measures as per prescribed norms.The meeting was also apprised about various steps initiated by the WUCMA to control diffused pollution to the Wular Lake by means of direct flow of the harmful wastes and human excreta into the lake. In this regard, the Authority has, so far, provided over 45-low cost sanitation units (toilets) to the population belonging to the BPL to maintain the sanitation of the lake. Many such units are proposed to be added during the coming years, the meeting was informed.
The meeting was further informed that some other activities out-sourced to other departments/agencies for scientific grazing management, sustainable horticultural practices, veterinary health care support and management of the solid waste in Bandipora district. For this purpose, financial assistance of over Rs. one crore has been extended by the Authority to the Municipal Committee Bandipora and the departments of horticulture, animal and sheep husbandry.It was also divulged in the meeting that the total expenditure incurred by the Authority during last 5-years is to the tune of Rs. 45 crores (against an availability of Rs. 60 crores). The works are being closely monitored externally by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Chang (MoEF&CC) and also by the State Department of Environment, Ecology & Remote Sensing.
The conservation and revival process of the Wular lake is a long-term programme, for which adequate financial assistance is required. Under PM’s Special Package announced for the J&K, an amount of Rs. 60 crores has been earmarked for the conservation of Wular Lake.Assuring the authority for taking up the matter with the Chief Minister for releasing the first installment of funds during 2016-17 so that conservation efforts initiated by the WUCMA are carried out without any interruption, the Minister directed the officials of the authority to re-double their efforts and utilize their expertise for the speedy eco-restoration and conservation of the World famous Wular Lake. He also issued directions for the development of a 350 feet wide boulevard type eco-track which will have strips of ornamental, conifer and other plants and tracks for battery vans. He further said that facilities for eco-friendly motorized boats will be provided by the WUCMA within Wular Lake for tourists.Among others, the meeting was attended by Chief Executive Director, WUCMA, Mian Javed Hussein, Project Coordinator Catchment Conservation Ali Muhammad Dar, Coordinator Lake Water Management, Rashid Naqash, among other Engineers and Project officers the Authority.