The Nigeen Lake Conservation Organisation (NLCO) has initiated Phase 7 of its ‘Mission Ehsaas’ initiative, focusing on the continued restoration and conservation of lakes in Jammu and Kashmir. This phase marks a further step in the ongoing efforts to revive the region’s vital water bodies, which have faced degradation due to pollution, encroachment, and neglect over several decades.
Mission Ehsaas: A Community-Led Conservation Effort
Mission Ehsaas, a community-led campaign spearheaded by the NLCO, aims to bring about a significant improvement in the ecological health of Kashmir’s lakes and springs. The initiative emphasizes a collaborative approach, bringing together local communities, government agencies, and environmental activists to address the complex challenges of water body restoration. The program’s success is rooted in the principle that environmental conservation is a shared responsibility, requiring collective action and awareness.
The initiative has seen multiple phases, with each stage building upon the successes of the previous ones. Previous phases of Mission Ehsaas have focused on cleaning and desilting lakes, removing invasive weeds, and restoring traditional navigation routes that had become choked with debris and waste. These efforts have targeted significant water bodies such as Gilsar, Khushalsar, Nigeen Lake, and Anchar Lake, all of which are critical to the ecological balance and cultural heritage of the Kashmir Valley.
Restoration of Gilsar and Khushalsar Lakes
A primary focus of Mission Ehsaas has been the restoration of the Gilsar and Khushalsar wetland system, two interconnected urban lakes in Srinagar. These lakes, once known for their pristine condition, had deteriorated significantly due to untreated sewage discharge, accumulation of waste, and widespread encroachment. The NLCO, in collaboration with the Lakes and Conservation Management Authority (LCMA) and the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), has undertaken extensive cleaning operations, including the removal of solid waste and embankment restoration.
The formal handover of Gilsar and Khushalsar to the LCMA, following years of advocacy by NLCO and local stakeholders, has provided a framework for institutional and long-term restoration. Efforts have also been made to facilitate community engagement through the construction of jetties, aiming to reconnect local communities with these vital water resources.
Broader Ecological Concerns in Jammu and Kashmir
Beyond the specific restoration of Gilsar and Khushalsar, Mission Ehsaas addresses a broader environmental crisis in Jammu and Kashmir, where a significant number of lakes have disappeared or shrunk since the 1960s. This decline is attributed to a combination of pollution, unplanned urbanization, and encroachment. The NLCO has also been involved in the restoration of springs, which are crucial natural water sources that have faced neglect and degradation.
The NLCO, led by Chairman Manzoor Wangnoo, continues to engage with government bodies, including the Housing and Urban Development Department, to advocate for scientific assessment, demarcation, protection, and sustained resource allocation for the conservation of these water bodies. The organization stresses the need for a clear mandate, dedicated resources, and time-bound frameworks for effective restoration, emphasizing that large-scale water bodies require institutional responsibility alongside civil society contributions.
Phase 7 of Mission Ehsaas signifies the ongoing commitment to these restoration efforts, highlighting the persistent challenges and the collaborative spirit required to preserve Jammu and Kashmir’s precious water heritage for future generations.
The Chenab Times News Desk