Himachal: Rs 2.18 crore sought for revival of Dal Lake

Himachal Pradesh: Deputy Chief Whip Kewal Singh Pathania today urged Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu to provide Rs 2.18 crore for the revival of Dal Lake in Dharamshala. “After receiving the detailed project report (DPR) for the revival of the shrinking Dal Lake, I met the Chief Minister today and urged him to provide funds to save the lake,” Pathania said after meeting the Chief Minister. He said a DPR has been submitted by Anand Malligad Foundation to save Dal Lake, which is a major tourist attraction.

Pathania said that despite the best efforts of experts from IIT Mandi, Municipal Corporation and other government agencies, the water level in the lake is receding. “All their efforts have proved futile as the lake has lost its old glory. In fact, the Jal Shakti Department releases water to facilitate holy bathing by pilgrims at the temple located on the southern bank of the lake,” he lamented. He said around 30,000 pilgrims visit the place to take the holy dip. He said the Dal Lake, apart from being a major tourist attraction, also houses a 200-year-old ancient temple of Lord Shiva. He said the primary source of water for the lake is surface runoff from channels coming from the mountains around the lake.