Is Dal Lake dying a slow death?

DUMPING LAKE: The waters of Dal Lake are dangerously polluted with tonnes of solid wastes and toxic chemicals.

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Srinagar: One of the most biggest attractions of the Kashmir valley, Dal Lake is dying a slow death.

The latest report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India says that the waters of the Dal Lake are dangerously polluted with tonnes of solid wastes and toxic chemicals.

Results of soil tests on Dal Lake indicate presence of heavy metals, which are present beyond their permissible limits.

This has greatly harmed the fish in the lake and can also cause severe damage to the human brain, liver and kidneys.

So what's turning the Dal Lake into a septic tank?

The culprit- it's rapid urbanisation. Around 10,000 people live on the lake on floating gardens. And the lake is now completely surrounded by commercial and residential establishments.

About five lakh kilograms of solid waste being dumped into the Dal Lake every year as a result.

"The amount of and extent of measures that are required to be taken perhaps that is not being done that has not happened,” says Divisional Commisioner, Kashmir, Basharat Dhar.

Three hundred crore rupees have been reportedly spent on conservation of the Dal Lake, but the CAG report says that only hardly half of the money allotted has been used since 1997.