Srinagar- As one passes from the newly developed walkway along the Brari Nambal Lagoon in the Baba Demb area of Srinagar, a pungent smell emerging from the Lagoon makes it impossible to walk. The Ghats developed by the government along the banks of the Lagoon fail to attract people.
“I had a look from the Ghat to the Lagoon and it is not a sight to remember” said a passerby.
However, for locals living in the vicinity of the lake, the stinky smell has made their life hell.
Heaps of garbage, unending stretches of obnoxious weeds, stinking waters are the only remnants of this once sparkling lagoon.
In 2015, the government had formulated a comprehensive project to restore the water body to its pristine glory. However, in recent months algae has engulfed the surface of the lagoon.
Moreover, an on ground visit shows illegal constructions have been coming up in the vicinity of the lagoon making its survival more difficult.
The authorities say they have been doing their bit to restore the water body to its original state. However, on ground things are quite different.
The Brari Nambal Lagoon comes under the jurisdiction of Lake Conservation and Management Authority (LCMA), some of its area comes under the jurisdiction of Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC).
Earlier speaking to media, VC LCMA Bashir Bhat said that they were carrying out anti-encroachment drives regularly to ensure that no structure was set up in the area.
He, however, said that LCMA does not have jurisdiction over the full area of Brari Nambal.
VC LCMA Bashir Bhat acknowledged that some temporary structures have come in the vicinity of the lagoon but he said that structures will be raised to the ground.
“We will do our bit and ensure no illegal construction comes up,” Bhat said.
A senior SMC official also voiced similar views and said that they are doing their bit to stop illegal constructions.
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