Srinagar: Serene and vast Khushalsar lake in Kashmir used to be widely sought after by tourists as well as locals who used to rely on the thriving water source for livelihood. As heaps of waste piled over the lake, people treaded back. Distressed over the plight of the water body, volunteers in Srinagar have revived the lake which had turned out to be a cesspool due to the negligence of the government and locals.
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Locals led by Manzoor Ahmad Wangnoo ventured to clean the lake. Painstaking efforts for two months has led to the revival of the lake.
"We were very anxious and concerned after seeing the deteriorating condition of the lake on a daily basis. In February, we decided to volunteer to clean it. Residents and administration supported us, and thankfully, today it looks like a water body," Wangnoo told ETV Bharat.
Located in the city's Zadibal area, houseboats, shikaras, used to flock the lake and navigated till Dal lake in Dalgate. Wangoo said that they would not step back until the lake becomes the navigation route up to Dal Lake like three decades ago.
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According to locals, three decades ago the lake was very clear that they used to collect lotus stem and fish from its waters. Locals said that they used to bathe in the clean water until it was polluted by the waste thrown by the residents living along its periphery. The government was also negligent in maintaining its pristine state, said locals.
Wangnoo said that under "Mission Ehsaas" they will not only clean the Khushalsar lake but also other lakes in the city.
"With Mission Ehsaas, we want to send a message to people across Valley to preserve and save the water bodies," he said. Local residents have appreciated the volunteers and have vowed not to throw garbage into the lake so that its pristine nature is preserved.
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