Srinagar, Oct 15: The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly’s Committee on Environment, headed by MLA Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, has expressed serious concern over rampant encroachments and pollution in Anchar Lake, calling for time-bound measures to restore and protect the water body.
During an extensive visit to Anchar Lake and its adjoining areas, the committee assessed ongoing conservation measures and identified the need for stronger enforcement, pollution control and coordinated action by the concerned departments.
The committee directed the Vice-Chairman of the Lakes Conservation and Management Authority (LCMA) to submit a detailed report on the nature and extent of encroachments, the status of land retrieval, action taken against violators and measures proposed to prevent fresh encroachments.
Tarigami stressed that illegal occupation of the lake and its surrounding areas must be tackled through strict enforcement, regular monitoring and coordinated action in accordance with the law.
Expressing concern over the lake’s deteriorating ecological condition, the committee highlighted encroachment, pollution, siltation and other human activities as major challenges. It called for a comprehensive conservation strategy covering the prevention of untreated sewage and waste discharge, scientific desiltation, restoration of natural water channels, protection of catchment areas and regular water-quality monitoring.
The chairman emphasised that all restoration measures must be guided by scientific assessments and ecological considerations to ensure the lake’s long-term sustainability. He also called for greater public participation and awareness to prevent further degradation.
The committee also inspected the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) to assess concerns regarding hospital waste management and its potential impact on Anchar Lake.
It stressed that biomedical waste and hospital effluents must be treated and disposed of in accordance with prescribed environmental standards. The authorities were asked to ensure the proper functioning of effluent-treatment and waste-management systems, conduct regular inspections and prevent the discharge of untreated waste into water bodies.
The committee called for accountability and interdepartmental coordination to address deficiencies and ensure compliance with environmental norms.
MLAs Daleep Singh Parihar, Showkat Hussain Ganie, Javaid Ahmad Mirchal, Dr Sajjad Shafi, Salman Sagar, Javaid Reyaz Bedar and Mubarak Gul accompanied the chairman.
Chairman JKPCC Vasu Yadav, Srinagar Deputy Commissioner Akshay Labroo, Srinagar Municipal Corporation Commissioner Dr Basharat Qayoom, LCMA Vice-Chairman Khurshid Ahmad Shah and other senior officials were also present during the visit.
The committee called for concrete and measurable action to remove encroachments, curb pollution and restore Anchar Lake’s ecological balance.
