Depressing to see Kashmir’s water bodies under great stress: Prof Saifuddin Soz

Former Union minister and senior Congress leader Prof Saifuddin Soz said Kashmir’s water bodies have been under great stress for quite some time through illegal encroachments, but, it has never been so bad as it is today.

After his visit to Gilsar, Khushal Sar, Anchar and Brari Nambal, he expressed a great concerns for the waterbodies in the Union territory.

Here is his full statement:

It was so depressing to me personally to see our precious heritage in Water Bodies under great stress through all kinds of encroachments and wanton neglect.

During my visit to Gilsar, Khushal Sar, Anchar and Brari Nambal, today, I got awakened to raise an alarm that we shall lose this great natural treasure, completely and irretrievably, if my alarm does not produce a responsible public concern!

All Water Bodies in Kashmir including Wular and Dal are under great stress. The greatest trouble has been created by Land Grabbers and Encroachers, who are far beyond clutches of law and many times enjoying patronage of narrow-minded public figures!

It was highly depressing for me to pay a visit to Gilsar, Khushalsar, Anchar and Brarinambal, today. Anchar Lake is just not visible as illegal constructions have come all around!

I could imagine that nothing seemed to be retrievable unless people themselves come forward and take strong measures to safeguard whatever can be retrieved.

I have been left with a feeling that everything will be lost unless people themselves rise to the occasion.

I, however, felt encouraged when groups of people around these lakes assured me that they would join a movement for retrieving and conserving these water bodies which are taking their last breath.