Official apathy pushes Khushalsar, Gilsar on verge of extinction

Failure of authorities to take measures for conservation of Gilsar and Khushalsar lakes in Shaher-e-Khaas has pushed the water bodies on the verge of extinction.

Gilsar and Khushalsar are two interconnected lakes which receive waters from Nigeen lake and gradually flows into Anchar lake. Situated between Hawal and Nowshehra areas, these interconnected lakes till few decades ago were one of the major tourist attractions and bird watching sites. However, in absence of conservation, these lakes are bedeviled with encroachments, siltation and pollution.

Numerous springs locally called as Mukhta Pokhar and Vichar Nag, which used to give fresh lease of waters to Gilsar, have turned into cesspools. These springs pass through Nowshera and Channa Mohalla accumulating all effluents, surface drains, garbage, polythene and empty into Gilsar.

Locals said during past over a decade, extensive constructions have come up on the banks of Gilsar lake.

A large expanse of Khushalsar along the Ali Jan road has also been extensively encroached by construction of shops and automobile workshops.

“Gilsar and Khushalsar have been vandalized due to official apathy and public greed,” said Nazir Ahmad, a local. “During my childhood we used to drink water from these lakes, however pungent smell emanates from it,” he said.

A study carried by the Department of Earth Science Kashmir University reveals that Khushalsar and Gilsar have been have shrunk half their size.

“The twin lakes of Khushalsar and Gilsar occupied almost a square km in 1965. Our study reveals that these vital water bodies have shrunk to less than 0.50 Sq. Km,” said Prof Shakeel Romshoo, Head Department of Earth Sciences, Kashmir University.

Pertinently, the Divisional Commissioner Dr Asgar Hassan Samoon recently underscored the need for conservation of Khushalsar and Gilsar lakes. The Divisional Commissioner had directed the Municipal authorities to clear encroachments around these lakes within 15 days. He asked them not to allow any further illegal constructions or encroachments around these lakes.

Pro Romshoo said most of the urban lakes including Gilsar and Khushalsar are ecologically deteriorated in absence of conservation. “This has adversely affected their productivity and functionality. Ironically, there are no concrete action plans for conservation of these urban lakes,” he said.

Dr MRD Kundangar, an environmentalist said expansion of human settlements into catchments of Khushalsar and Gilsar have disturbed their fragile eco-system.

“Heavy loads of nutrients in the form of domestic effluents, residual fertilizers, encroachments coupled with unabated siltation has resulted in degradation of Khushalsar,” he said.

Experts said overall degradation of these lakes has severely affected livelihoods of large communities living in and around Khushalsar through decline in fish productivity, prolific growth of aquatic vegetation, loss of biodiversity and water quality deterioration.

“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.

Dr Kundangar who has made a comprehensive Action Plan for the state government for these lakes said ecological restoration of Khushalsar and its adjoining water bodies is important for eco-system of the Valley.

He has recommended improvement in water regimes to restore ecological services and economic benefits, delineation of boundaries, water quality improvement, biodiversity conservation, eco-tourism development, livelihood improvement and institutional development for effective management.

In 2013, the Action Plan for conservation of Khushalsar and Gilsar was submitted by Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA), presently entrusted with conservation of Dal and Nigeen lakes, to the Ministry of Environment and Forest, Government of India. Officials said Government of India is yet to approve the plan.

Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development Department, Social Welfare and Health and Medical Education, Asiea Naqash said in Assembly recently that pre-feasibility report for management and restoration of Khushalsar, Gilsar and Anchar lakes in Shaher-e-Khaas has been submitted to Union Ministry of Environment and Forest for consideration and its approval is awaited.

Commissioner SMC Bashir Ahmad Khan said “we are taking measures to prevent encroachment of these water bodies.” “We will construct walkway on the banks of these lakes to prevent encroachment and construction of structures,” Khan said.