Lakes are the soul of Kashmir. And if this soul will perish Kashmir will not remain the same Kashmir. It is a well known fact that erstwhile Kashmir was a lake. With the passage of human settlement and urbanisation, the area of the natural water bodies has shrunk drastically and even some have disappeared. But still some small water bodies are somehow struggling to survive in scattered places. Administration and tourists are concerned with the large and famous lakes like Dal, Nigeen, Wular etc, and that is good in itself. But no one is concerned about the small water bodies which are slowly dying and becoming victims of extreme urbanisation.

Through the post I want to raise my concern for such a small dying lake in our locality, Indira Nagar- Srinagar.
This lake is surrounded completely by a residential area and a beautiful Gurudwara on one side. On this erstwhile lake now stands a densely packed large residential houses and hotels, but still a small portion of lake is saved somehow. This lake serves as a natural habitat and ecosystem for a number of migratory and local birds in winter, like Gadwall, Mallard (Nilug), Moorhen (Tec), Northern Shoveler (Honk), Common Teal (Kisput), Kingfisher (Kolu tune) etc. In summers the lake is surrounded with lush and green Typha Latifolia grass commonly known as Cat Tail grass which contributes to the living ecosystem for these birds.
But our well educated neighbourhood doesn't bother about the small natural water body and those beautiful creatures. All the construction debris, house waste and even animal wastes are indiscriminately thrown into the lake. Parking lots are made by filling the shores of the lake. The lake has become almost shallow and too polluted.
Not only it is a threat to the birds which have habitation in the lake and are paying the cost without knowing what and why that is happening to them but also at the same time it is a great concern to the sanitation issue of the area.
I would like to suggest few points for the revival and maintenance of the lake:
(a) One time cleanship drive of the lake.
(b) Construction of boundary and fencing around the lake.
(c) Construction of a walking track around the circumference.
As our residential area has no nearby recreational parks except a very small park opposite to the lake itself, this initiative will be the exemplary model for coexistence of human dwellings and nature.
I am hopeful that the authorities will take some necessary steps to save the lake and its beautiful creatures, and I would consider myself fortunate if I could be a part of this initiative.

Email:-------------------robinkoul0307@gmail.com