Rs 2.18 crore sought for revival of Dal Lake

Deputy Chief Whip Kewal Singh Pathania today urged Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to provide Rs 2.18 crore for the revival of the Dal Lake in Dharamsala.

“Following the receipt of the detailed project report (DPR) for revival of the shrinking Dal Lake, I today met the Chief Minister and urged him to provide funds for saving the lake,” said Pathania after meeting the CM. He said a DPR has been submitted by Anand Malligavad Foundation for saving the Dal lake, which is a big tourist attraction.

Pathania said despite the best efforts by experts from IIT Mandi, Municipal Corporation and other government agencies, the water level in the lake has been declining. “All their efforts have proven to be of no use as the lake has lost its old glory. In fact, the Jal Shakti Department releases water to facilitate the holy dip by pilgrims at the shrine located on the southern bank of the lake,” he lamented. He added that almost 30,000 pilgrims come here to take the holy dip.

He said Dal Lake, apart from being a major tourist attraction, is home to an ancient 200-year-old temple of Lord Shiva. He said he primary source of water for the lake comes from the surface runoff from the channels from the mountains al around the lake.