Encroachments eat up Aanchar lake
With authorities failing to take measures for conservation of Aanchar lake here, unscrupulous persons are having a field day to encroach upon the water body and undertake constructions on it.
In absence of any regulation, constructions of several structures is in full swing on the banks of Aanchar lake at Upper Soura. A vast stretch of land near the lake overlooking the Kil Khan lane is abuzz with construction activity.
“Though constructions are prohibited in the area, however the officials have failed to take any measures to prevent encroachments and illegal constructions,” said a group of residents of Kil Khan lane.
Till few decades ago, Aanchar possessed crystal clear waters and hosted rich aquatic life. The lake plays an important part in maintaining hydrological system of Srinagar. Ironically, in absence of conservation measures and regulation, the lake is on the verge of extinction.
Aanchar receives major lease of its waters from Dal lake through Nallah Amir Khan via Gilsar and Khushalsar. It is also fed by a network of channels from Sindh river and finally merges with Jhelum river at Sangam.
Surrounded by a catchment areas of 66 sq km, the unchecked encroachment and illegal constructions has reduced the lake from 19.4 sq km to 6.8 sq km of which 3.6 sq km is marshy land.
“Studies reveal that the lake mainly due to encroachments has shrunk to less than 7 sq. kms of which 3.6 sq.kms is marsh,” said noted environmentalist, Dr Muhammad Rashid-ud-din Kundangar.
He said the problem is compounded by unabated use of pesticides and weedicides in the paddy fields and orchards in the catchment. “Most of the zones near habitations have become dumping sites of all allochanthus and non-allochanthus materials which has resulted in chocking of the body and hampered the flow of waters,” he said.
A large expanse of Aanchar behind the Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) Soura has been extensively encroached upon. In absence of monitoring, the unscrupulous persons have even encroached around 400 kanals of watery land of SKIMS and have been using it for agricultural purposes and rearing domestic animals.
Pertinently, Government had reserved the watery land for starting Medical Tourism in houseboats in Aanchar Lake. The ambitious project was envisioned by then Chief Minister, Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah, after the construction of SKIMS in mid ‘70s. However the project could not take off. SKIMS authorities are yet to demarcate the land or fence it.
Experts said siltation is also posing threat to the lake. They said extensive siltation has affected fragile eco-system of Aanchar lake. “Besides extensive cultivation of Salix (willow) in the lake area has led to reduction of open water surface at an alarming rate. The rate of encroachment of Aanchar Lake has been estimated 0.184 sq kms per year.
In 2013, the Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA) entrusted with conservation of Dal Lake, in 2013 submitted an action plan to the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest, Government of India for restoration of Aanchar and its adjoining lakes. Officials said the project is still awaiting sanction.
When contacted Commissioner Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) Showkat Zargar assured to look into matter. “We will definitely take action if anyone is encroaching upon Aanchar lake or undertaking illegal constructions in its prohibited zones,” he said.
