Houseboat Association, Dal dwellers call on CM Omar Abdullah; flag long-pending issues

SRINAGAR : A deputation comprising Dal dwellers, including representatives of houseboat and shikara owners, on Tuesday called on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to apprise him about various issues confronting them.
The meeting was held to address long standing grievances and to discuss the sustainable livelihood solutions for communities dependent on Dal Lake.
The interaction was attended by Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, MLA Zadibal Tanvir Sadiq, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Dheeraj Gupta, Director General Fire & Emergency Services J&K, Commissioner Secretaries of Forest, Ecology & Environment, Tourism, Housing & Urban Development; Director Tourism, Vice Chairpersons of the Lakes Conservation and Management Authority (LCMA), Srinagar Development Authority and other senior officials.
Representatives of the Houseboat owners association, Shikara owners union and Dal dwellers’ community participated in the meeting and put forth their concerns and issues.
At the outset, MLA Zadibal Tanvir Sadiq gave a detailed briefing to the Chief Minister on the issues raised by the visiting deputation.
The president of the Houseboat owners association highlighted key concerns of the community, particularly the delay in the renewal of licences of houseboats. He also raised the matter of rehabilitation for houseboat owners currently located in River Jhelum and Chounti Khul, who are willing to relocate voluntarily to more sustainable locations. He further stressed the need for dedicated space at Srinagar Airport and Srinagar Railway Station to promote and market houseboats as a unique tourism asset and renovation of facilities at Chinar Bagh. The demand for setting up a dedicated fire station near Nigeen Lake, given the vulnerability of houseboats to fire accidents, was also reiterated.
Members of the Dal dwellers’ community urged the administration to take up urgent repair and renovation work of the wooden culverts and bridges that are integral for community movement, especially ahead of the Muharram processions. They also flagged the need for improvement in basic amenities for the residents living in the interiors of the lake.
They also brought attention to the lack of a reliable mechanism for the transportation of essential ration to the interiors of the lake, affecting the daily lives of inhabitants.
Similarly, shikara owners demanded restoration and maintenance of ghats and jetties along the Dal Lake shoreline.
The Chief Minister gave a patient hearing to the deputation and assured them that all genuine concerns would be examined and addressed on priority.
He emphasized that the government is committed to safeguarding the interests of those whose livelihood depends on the lake, while also ensuring sustainable preservation of this ecological treasure.