Srinagar | September 21 — In a strong gesture of public leadership and environmental commitment, Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, joined hands with locals on Sunday to take part in a cleanliness drive at the iconic Dal Lake, as part of the ongoing ‘Sewa Parv’ initiative.
Standing waist-deep in the waters of Kashmir’s most beloved lake, the L-G joined volunteers and workers in removing weeds, lilies, and invasive aquatic plants—a symbolic yet powerful action that highlights the government’s ongoing mission to rejuvenate the fragile ecosystem of the lake.
A Lake Reborn
According to LG Sinha, more than one-third of Dal Lake has been rejuvenated in the past five years, and its open water area has now increased to 20.3 square kilometres—a milestone not achieved before. He emphasized that this progress was the result of mission-mode preservation efforts targeting both Dal and Nigeen Lakes, as well as their surrounding catchment areas.
“Dal Lake is cleaner and attracting large numbers of domestic and international visitors. I call upon citizens to preserve lakes, rivers, and other water bodies through community involvement,” he posted on X.
Why Dal Lake Matters
Dal Lake isn’t just a body of water—it’s the beating heart of Srinagar. Known as the “Jewel in the Crown of Kashmir”, the lake serves as the lungs of the city, home to over 1.26 million people. It supports aquatic life, fishing communities, water-plant harvesting, and Kashmir’s unique culture of houseboats and Shikaras.
It’s also a major source of livelihood, as thousands rely on it for income through tourism, fishing, and floating markets. The 15.5 km long boulevard encircling the lake is lined with Mughal gardens, hotels, and cultural heritage sites like Shalimar Bagh and Nishat Bagh, creating one of the most scenic and historic urban waterfronts in the world.
Challenges and Hope
Despite its charm, Dal Lake has been under severe ecological stress due to urbanization, pollution, and climate change. To counter these threats, the government has allocated a massive ₹11 billion (INR) to restore its original glory and combat eutrophication and other environmental hazards.
Divided into four distinct basins—Gagribal, Lokut Dal, Bod Dal, and Nigeen—the lake also features floating gardens (locally known as Raad) that burst into a magical bloom of lotus flowers during July and August. These floating gardens are both an environmental marvel and a source of cultural pride.
