Government committed to save Dal from pollution: Minister
Historic Dal Lake preservation rally held

Srinagar, September 05 - In connection with Youth Hostelling Centenary celebrations being celebrated on National as well as State level, a historic Dal Lake Preservation Rally was held here today. Mountain bikers from almost all the states of the country who reached valley yesterday via Leh and Kargil, 5000 students drawn from Government and private schools, social activists and respectable citizens took part in the rally from Nehru Park to Centeur hotel SKICC.

Minister for Youth Service and Sports, Medical Education & Technical Education Mr. R.S. Chib, Minister of State for Tourism, Housing and Urban Development, Mr. Nasir Aslam Wani, President National Youth Hostel Association Mr. M.S. Pandit, Director Information, Khawaja Farooq Ahmed Renzu, Vice Chairman, LAWDA, Mr. Irfan Yaseen, Chief Education Officer, Srinagar, Mr. Ghulam Hassan Malik led the rally, chanting slogans ‘Save Dal’. Mountain Bikers, and people from all walks of life on this occasion took part in the Dal cleaning programme and reaffirmed their resolve to save the lake from pollution.

Addressing the rally, Mr. R.S. Chib said that the youth are the future of our State and their healthy and progressive living is very essential for prosperity of the State as well as country. He said that government is formulating comprehensive programme for youth to chanelize their energy for productive and meaningful purpose through the Youth Service and Sports department.

Emphasizing for maintaining peace and tranquility in the State, Mr. Chib said that government shall leave no stone unturned in extending all possible facilities to youth in curricular and extra curricular activities.

Asking youth to play their role in maintaining ecological balance, Mr. Chib said that natural beauty of Kashmir including world famous Dal Lake, Anchar Lake, Nageen Lake and Wular Lake should be kept clean from biological wastes, pollutants and nitrogenous wastes and youth should bring awareness among masses about the significance of these lakes.

On this occasion, Mr. Chib announced Rs. 50, 000 for refreshment of school children participating in the rally.

Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development and Tourism, Mr. Nasir Aslam Wani is his address said that Dal Lake is to be preserved for generations to come. He said that we have not only to maintain its cleanliness but also take steps for its conservation and restoration. He said growth of weeds in Dal Lake is a natural process but its growth is enhanced by presence of wastes and pollutants.

Mr. Nasir asked the visiting youth to support the agencies engaged in preserving Dal Lake and also propagate the message of peace and hospitality of Kashmir to other parts of country as well as abroad.

President National Youth Hostelling Association, Mr. Mohammad Shafi Pandit said that Dal Lake is our heritage and belongs to every nature lover. He said the condition of Dal had started deteriorating but with the efforts of state government, Dal is reviving and returning back to its pristine glory.

Vice Chairman Lakes and Waterways Development Authority Mr. Irfan Yaseen on this occasion gave the resume of the initiatives taken by his agency in bringing improvement in the existing state of affairs of Dal lake. He appealed for creating awareness against dumping of any kind of pollutant in the Dal Lake.

Eminent Gandhian, Mr. S.P.Verma presented vote of thanks and renowned broad caster of Radio Kashmir Srinagar Mr. Ishfaq Lone anchored the programme.Mr Verma informed that Mountain Bikers shall proceed to jammu tomorrow where enthusiastic reception is waiting for them.

The function was among others attended by Chief Education Officer, Srinagar Ghulam Hassan Malik, Showkat Ashai and other prominent persons.