Govt hypocrisy gradually killing Dal,Nigeen lakes

The Dal and its basin Nigeen is unique because it is the only water body where people live inside the lake in small hamlets and houseboats and cultivation is carried out in floating gardens. There are around six thousands households in the lake and more than hundred mohallas (colonies) – all contributing to the shrinkage of the lake. The Conservation and Management Plan submitted by the University of Roorkee to the J-K Government has put forth a Resettlement and Rehabilitation Plan for the Dal and Nigeen dwellers as an essential part of a Save Dal project. The project had been assigned to the Alternate Hydro-energy Centre of University of Roorkee by the Union Environment and Forests Ministry.

On the ground,it is a different story. These lake dwellers are an essential part of National Conference vote bank and thus an immediate priority to the party legislators and the government. Aakhon Mohalla,Takiya Lal Sheikh inside Nigeen lake is an example of such a double standards within the government. The mohalla has been provided a primary school,a middle school,electricity lines,ration cards by the government and thus a legal cover.

The University of Roorkee’s Resettlement and Rehabilitation Plan for the Dal and Nigeen dwellers under the Conservation and Management Plan had put forth various options for the removal of the lake dwellers. However,the government’s own actions are making the Save Dal project a difficult proposition. During the 2002 elections,the NC politicians won over the dwellers in lieu of promises to provide them with facilities without looking at the larger lake conservation plan. This is not limited to NC’s local politicians. In fact,J-K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah too has contributed in this.

“Omar saab gave us this bridge,” said Bilal Ahmed,pointing towards a wooden bridge in Aakhoon Mohalla. This neighbourhood falls under Hazratbal constituency – a traditional bastion of the National Conference which is presently represented by CM’s father Farooq Abdullah. “We have government schools here for our children,” Bilal adds. Aakhon Mohalla is Shiite majority mohalla.

To further complicate the lake matters and especially the resettlement and rehabilitation plan in lieu of votes,the Aakhon Mohalla has been provided water supply through two separate lines. “We get drinking water from two supply lines – one comes from Nishat while the other comes from Aashaibal,” Bilal said. The electricity supply to the mohalla too has been enhanced recently. “From 100 KV transformer,Omar saab gave us 150 KV transformer. The electricity problem has been solved to a great extent now,” he said.

National Conference leader and cabinet minister Ali Muhammad Sagar too allotted a transformer to Thobu mohalla at Khujarabal Rainawari falling in the Khanyar constituency of Srinagar before his re-election in 2002. Sagar is representing Khanyar constituency uninterrupted since 1996 polls. “He (Sagar) also repaired the bridge,” said Muhammad Shafi,a resident of Thobu Mohalla.

This vote bank politics by the leaders of the ruling party is making the lake conservation impossible. The government’s Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA) – an agency formed for preservation of the water body – too doesn’t want to oppose the ruling politicians. “The government has a rehabilitation plan for the lake dwellers. Under that plan they will be relocated to various colonies” said Vice Chairman,Lakes and Waterways Development Authority Irfan Shah.

“Until then,I don’t think there is anything wrong in providing a transformer or a school to the people living inside the lake.”