Filthy toilets, stray dogs bane of Bhaderwah fishpond

Ranjit Thakur

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Bhaderwah, November 21

Poorly maintained ponds, stinking toilets, hanging naked wires and absence of emergency medical facilities at the famous Lake View Resorts situated in the lap of Bhaderwah are crying for attention.

Located near the heart of the city in Gatha, the Lake View Resorts is also known as a ‘fishpond’. Though the resort is famous worldwide for its scenic beauty, there are no basic facilities worth mentioning for tourists.

The Bhaderwah Development Authority (BDA), which is taking care of the resort, has prohibited the use of plastic carry bags and smoking at the site. However, the sight of plastic bags, bottles littered all over and people smoking in public tell a different story.

“Poor toilet facilities, plastic bottles and even children’s nappies are littered around the fishpond. Stray dogs create a nuisance for visitors here and the pond has not been cleaned since long as one can witness the weeds growing in it,” said Rupa, a visitor from Jammu.

“Even the children’s park in the resort is in a poor state. The swings and slides are all broken and their parts can be seen scattered all around which is very disheartening for the children visiting here,” she added.

“The herbal garden in the resort has been ruined because of no care and concern which gives a very false look to the resort,” another visitor said.

Nadeem Khan, a local, said, “We have seen over 10,000 people visiting the fishpond in a single day but now, hardly anyone is interested to come here because of its poor maintenance and lack of facilities.”

The Chief Executive Officer, Bhaderwah Development Authority, Bal Krishan, was unaware of these facts and said construction work was going on and the problems being faced by visitors would be sought out.