Anantnag, Jun 29 (KNO): A day after Kashmir News Observer (KNO) highlighted the deteriorating condition of the historic Kulam Chinar spring in Shankerpora village of Dooru area of Anantnag, the Verinag Development Authority (VDA) on Monday launched a mega cleanliness drive and initiated measures for the restoration of the water body.
Speaking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Chief Executive Officer, Verinag Development Authority, Mohammad Rouf Rehman, who personally visited the site, said 56 casual labourers of the Authority were deployed at Kulam Chinar Park to carry out an extensive cleanliness drive aimed at improving hygiene, sanitation and preservation of the public destination.
He said an iron and tin-sheeted washroom for women is also being erected at the site to facilitate the large number of visitors who frequent the spring.
Regarding the de-weeding and cleaning of the spring, the CEO said the matter pertains to the Jal Shakti Department and that the Authority has already taken up the issue with the department.
In a communication addressed to the Executive Engineer, Jal Shakti Division, Qazigund, a copy of which is in the possession of KNO, the CEO stated that the drinking water source inside Kulam Chinar Park had been found in a highly unsatisfactory and neglected condition due to the accumulation of weeds, silt and lack of regular maintenance.
The communication states that during a joint visit to the site on Sunday, local residents and visitors expressed serious concern over the polluted condition of the spring and demanded its immediate cleaning and restoration.
The Authority has requested the Jal Shakti Department to depute a competent team for immediate de-weeding, cleaning, desilting and sanitation of the water body on priority. A joint inspection by officials of both departments has also been scheduled to assess the situation and facilitate necessary corrective measures.
Earlier, KNO had reported that locals were demanding restoration of the historic spring, removal of algal growth and development of basic facilities, including washrooms and changing rooms, at the popular destination known for its perceived therapeutic properties.
Residents had also sought regular maintenance and better infrastructure to preserve the site and attract more visitors—(KNO)