Dwellers seek expert probe into pollution
Mudassir Kuloo
Srinagar Aug 24: Fresh concerns have emerged over the health of the iconic Dal Lake in Srinagar after hundreds of fish were found floating dead in different parts of the water body in recent days, prompting Dal dwellers to demand an immediate scientific investigation into the cause of the fish deaths.
Residents living around the lake said the sudden mortality of fish has raised serious questions about the deteriorating water quality and increasing pollution levels in the lake. They urged authorities to constitute an expert committee comprising local scientists as well as experts from outside the country to ascertain the exact cause.
“We have been witnessing hundreds of dead fish floating on the lake. This is not something that should be taken lightly. The authorities must immediately investigate what is causing these deaths,” said a Dal dweller Ghulam Rasool.
Another resident said the incident should be treated as a warning about the ecological health of the lake.
“Dal Lake is not only a tourist attraction; it is a living ecosystem and supports thousands of people. If fish are dying in such numbers, there could be something seriously wrong with the water quality,” Ghulam Nabi said.
The residents demanded that samples of water, sediments and dead fish be collected from different locations of the lake and tested by independent laboratories.
“We want a proper scientific investigation rather than a routine inspection. An expert committee should be formed and, if required, experts from other countries should also be invited so that the actual cause can be established,” said another local Mohammad Shafi.
Dal dwellers also expressed concern over untreated sewage, waste dumping, excessive nutrient load and other forms of pollution entering the lake. They said authorities should identify all possible sources and take corrective measures without delay.
“The government has been talking about the conservation of Dal Lake for years, but such incidents show that the ecosystem remains vulnerable. We need long-term scientific monitoring, not temporary measures,” a resident said.
Locals said the fish deaths could have implications for the wider aquatic ecosystem and called for immediate action to prevent further mortality.
They urged the administration and agencies responsible for lake conservation to conduct a comprehensive assessment of dissolved oxygen levels, water chemistry, algal activity, sewage inflow and other possible factors behind the incident.
