SRINAGAR, FEB 27: Houseboats which are part of Kashmir’s rich culture are dying fast with one more sinking on Tuesday.
Houseboats made of wood are also called floating palaces on various water bodies of Kashmir including Dal Lake, Nigeen Lake and River Jehlum.
However, over the years, their number has reduced to around 900 from 1600 as their owners could not do their repairs in time.
On Tuesday one more houseboat sank in River Jehlum.
Owner of the houseboat Abdul Rehman Pakhtoon said they noticed that the houseboat was sinking in the morning hours. “I left everything there and saved my two children first. All our belongings which were in the houseboat got damaged,” he told Morning Kashmir.
He requested the administration to provide them immediate relief amid cold weather.
Bashir Ahmad, a houseboat owner, said they live under miserable conditions. “We are being blamed for polluting Dal Lake and River Jehlum. The reality is that people across Srinagar are responsible for polluting the lake. Sewage generated from various parts of Srinagar is flowing into the lake,” he added.
Houseboats made of wood are also called floating palaces on various water bodies of Kashmir including Dal Lake, Nigeen Lake and River Jehlum.
However, over the years, their number has reduced to around 900 from 1600 as their owners could not do their repairs in time.
However, in June last year, the J&K High Court directed the Jammu and Kashmir government to allow the repair and renovation of houseboats on Dal Lake, Nigeen Lake, and River Jehlum.
The houseboats are of different sizes, some having up to four bedrooms apart from a living room and kitchen. The value of a houseboat is between Rs 2 to Rs 4 crore.
Many tourists are attracted to Srinagar because of the houseboat which provides the unique experience of living on the water in an elegant bedroom, with all the conveniences of a luxury hotel.
For tourists visiting Kashmir, staying in a houseboat for a few days and exploring Dal Lake in Shikara is the main part of their travel package. Houseboat interiors are designed with wood-carved walls, with Kashmiri woven carpets giving a cultural touch to the whole ambience. Rooms are upgraded with high-class furniture, with the latest facilities available for tourists. The houseboats are of different sizes, some having up to four bedrooms apart from a living room and kitchen. The value of a houseboat is between Rs 2 to Rs 3 crore.
