Lake Sustainability and Role of Houseboats: Impact of Solid Waste and Sewage of Houseboats on the Ecology of Dal Lake

Abstract

The Dal Lake is the second major freshwater Lake of Kashmir Valley which is known for its crystal waters, scenic beauty and beautiful houseboats. Houseboats are very important for the tourism of Dal Lake. Houseboats and the Dal Lake are widely associated together which have been known as “floating palaces” or “floating hotels”. These represent cultural heritage of Kashmir Valley and serve as tourist accommodation and add to the natural grandeur of Dal Lake. Solid waste and waste water together have severely polluted the Lake. The generation of solid waste and sewage from the houseboats and boatmen community are contributing to the pollution of the Lake which results in deterioration of overall ecology of Dal Lake and decreasing occupancy of tourists. This is the outcome of poor management and negligence of authorities (LAWDA) who never fulfill their responsibilities in the conservation of the Lake, solid waste and sewage management. The study has been carried out for estimation of solid waste generation and sewage disposal by houseboats and their impact on the sustainability of the Lake. Consequently results in sedimentation and growth of weeds on a large scale throughout the Lake and pose a serious threat to its sustainability. The data was gathered through structured questionnaires by simple random sampling technique. The impact of houseboats was observed through their waste generation and management. It was witnessed that there is great variation in generation from one category of houseboats to another and to households.