Amid fund crunch, battery cars launched around Mansar Lake

Sumit Hakhoo
Tribune News Service
Jammu, November 28

At a time when the Mansar and Surinsar lakes in the Shivalik mountain ranges are facing existential threat due to lack of funds and proper implementation of conservation plans, official agencies are investing lakhs in buying luxurious battery-operated cars.

The wildlife department and Surinsar Mansar Development Authority (SMDA) is introducing these vehicles as part of “eco-tourism” promotion, raising many eyebrows about the utilisation of funds when the basic infrastructure is crying for attention.

Sources said three battery cars would be first introduced by the wildlife department around the Mansar, largest freshwater lake in the Shivaliks. One car has already reached the site for trials and operational modalities are being formulated to operate these.

Similar arrangement will be made for the Surinsar lake in coming months.

“The government needs to invest in the sewage treatment plant, curb pollutants and make plans to save the pristine lake. These luxurious introductions will not solve any issue. What is the need for these? There is not much space for their operation,” said Amanvir Manhas, an environmental lawyer. Manhas has already filed a complaint in the State Accountability Commission to direct the government to save the water bodies of J&K.

The twin Surinsar and Mansar lakes fall within the Surinsar-Mansar wildlife sanctuary situated between the Shivalik and Jandhra ranges covering a vast area in Udhampur, Samba and Jammu district. These lakes have been brought under the National Wetland Conservation Programme.

Tahir Shawl, regional wildlife warden, Jammu, said battery-operated vehicles would be introduced to allow tourists, especially children, enjoy the ride and keep a check on carbon footprints. “We are still considering their feasibility. They are not fully operational yet,” Shawl said.

However, when asked to comment on the plan to safeguard the Mansar lake, Shawl said, “We have already asked people not to feed the fish. A major conservation plan based on latest research will be implemented soon, which has already been discussed by different agencies,” said Shawl.

Locals complain that the jurisdiction of the water bodies under multiple agencies is the main reason for their deterioration.