Little effort to develop Mansar Lake area

Sumit Hakhoo

Tribune News Service

Mansar, April 20

The PDP-BJP government’s extensive tourism promotion for the state as a “dream destination” holds little meaning Mansar, where infrastructure craves for attention.

Three years of the present dispensation has not helped in the development of tourism-related support structure in the Jammu region and the Mansar Lake is the perfect example of indifference. The lake and its surrounding area has a huge potential to divert lakhs of Mata Vaishno Devi-bound pilgrims but not much focus has been given to improve the services there in the past three decades. Locals say the jurisdiction of the lake area under multiple agencies — Surinsar Mansar Development Authority, Wildlife Department and Forest Department — has created a mess.

“Off the four viewpoints constructed about four decades back, only two are functional and, that too, are dangerous for visitors as they are damaged. Other two are closed because the wooden planks are broken,” said Surinder Pal, a local villager.

A centuries-old heritage building on the banks of the lake has been left to deteriorate. There is no information board to provide any info about the palace-like structure. The building is being used by shopkeepers to dump waste.

Although solar light panels installed at several places and tiles have been laid around the lake on the path, not much has been invested in the beautification of the area.

Admitting that funds had been a problem, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), SMDA, Arvind Kotwal said this year, the government had sanctioned money and a plan would be implemented to beautify the area.

“This year, we are organising a Baisakhi fair and funds have been sanctioned to start the beautification in coordination with the Forest and Wildlife Department,” said Kotwal. However, the CEO said, “There are several restrictions due to the wetland status and many plans have been delayed for want of approvals.” There is also another concern for the officials — the introduction of foreign Carp fish about a decade back. Their number has increased rapidly, threatening the delicate ecosystem of the lake. They have replaced the native fresh water fish that were once found in abundance. Wildlife Officer (Mansar) Neeraj Badu accepted that new fish species were mushrooming. “We plan to relocate some of the fish from the lake,” Badu said. However, he did not talk about any timeframe.

Experts say that due to silt, the lake water is eroding the banks on one side and there are concerns that it could also affect the surrounding houses close to the road.