Srinagar, Oct 16 : CPI(M) MLA Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami on Thursday flagged the shrinking of Anchar Lake and alleged that influential people had encroached upon land around water bodies, calling for urgent intervention to prevent further damage.
Tarigami was speaking to reporters after visiting Anchar Lake along with members of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly’s Committee on Environment.
He said Anchar Lake had shrunk from 19.5 square kilometres to around 4.5 square kilometres, adding that its present condition raised serious concerns about the survival of the water body.
“Today it has reached 4.5 square kilometres. And in 4.5 square kilometres, look at the condition. Where is the water? Where is the lake? It is not visible,” he said.
Referring to Anchar, Dal and Wular lakes, Tarigami alleged that influential people had occupied land around water bodies, contributing to their shrinking.
“Build a house. I have no objection. Build a hut, build a palace. That is their choice. But by ruining the face of Kashmir and Jammu, if there is any construction, whether it is a palace or a hut, I don’t accept it,” he said.
He said the issue had been discussed repeatedly and earlier committees had also submitted recommendations to the Assembly, but the condition of water bodies remained a concern.
Tarigami said the degradation of lakes would affect not only the environment but also public health and tourism, as water bodies were an important part of Kashmir’s natural landscape.
He urged political parties and legislators to work together to protect the remaining lake areas, saying the responsibility extended beyond the government of the day.
“It is our responsibility to save our land and save our water bodies,” he said.
Tarigami also called on authorities to stop encroachments and preserve whatever remained of Anchar Lake, stressing that further damage to the water body could not be allowed.
