Kashmir Magazine By : Kashmir Magazine | Srinagar, Publication Date: Friday, March 17, 2023 12:22:29 AM | Updated Date : Friday, March 17, 2023 12:22:29 AM
Kashmir Magazine (KM): Almost a year has been passed now. What are your achievements?
Ghazala Abdullah (GA): The mission Athwas was kick started by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on April 09, 2022. Initially it was confined to cleaning of Dal Lake but gradually we extended its functioning and involved officers, students, NGOs and others to ensure community partnership in conservation of Dal Lake as I believe Dal belongs to all, so there is a role of community as well to take part voluntarily in preserving our heritage. During the year we organized 48 programs in which massive community partnership was ensured. Its main purpose is to create awareness in public as they are stakeholders of Dal. So far 3535 people took part voluntarily in activities carried out under Athwas. Besides cleaning operations, we did awareness programs, seminars, competitions etc to realize young and old what their responsibility is?
KM: Do you think students at school level should be made aware about conservation of Dal Lake?
GA: Obviously. I believe if our children will be made aware about their collective responsibilities at school level, it will help us a lot in conservation of environment. During the year we roped up almost every college in Srinagar district besides more than dozens of schools in catchment areas were invited and appraised their role. I feel student community is the vital in creating awareness in society. Once you aware a student, you do aware a home as well. Once a student returns to home he or she proudly talks about day long happenings in family. This way it is the better source to inculcate a sense of responsibility in society.
KM: What was the response of people towards Athwas?
GA: It was tremendous. We invite people through several means including social media which not only helped us a lot in bringing people to the scene but it also earned a good name outside J&K. Volunteers from Kerala, Karnataka etc approached us and wished to take part in Athwas. I am thankful to Lieutenant Governor J&K Manoj Sinha for starting this mission in bringing people at a platform that inculcates a sense of realization about safeguarding their environment.
KM: One side Athwas is creating awareness and cleaning but on the other side there is no mechanism in catchment areas for placing garbage?
GA: Though we are doing awareness campaigns in catchment areas to make people aware about the disadvantages of throwing garbage into water bodies but at the same time we will try to ensure to provide dustbins to every household there. If the Mission Athwas will get an extension, it will be our top most priority to take up the matter with SMC and convince them about the service like they provide in other parts of the city.
KM: Silt is coming out from upper reaches of catchment areas. What are the preventive measures in place?
GA: In November 2022, we organized two Mega Plantation Drives in Takiya Sangreshi and Khimber. There was a plan to plant 90 thousand plants to stop the soil erosion in catchment areas. This was a successful year for us. Also in Sofi Mohalla of the interiors of Dal Lake we held another plantation drive there. Further World Forest Day and World Water Day which are going to be organized on 21st and 22nd March respectively, Athwas will celebrate these days with community participation to aware people of their role.
KM: Being originally from Department of Forests, what are your priorities?
GA: I will ask people to plant more and more trees. It will make our environment clean. Further I want to make people aware about their role. Community partnership is must as we cannot do anything without people’s cooperation. If God wills, I will start drives in schools and colleges to make students aware through presentations about conservation of Dal Lake. I believe if students are aware, that is awareness among people. I will start getting feedback from those students who participated in Mission Athwas so far to get their realization about Athwas and how it will be improved? I will take student community on board and get their suggestions as well about conservation of our environment.