Srinagar, Oct 12 (KNS): Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference (JKPC) youth president Mudasir Karim on Monday called for the construction of the Western Foreshore Road in Srinagar, saying improved connectivity and conservation of Dal Lake must go hand in hand with protecting the rights and livelihoods of its traditional inhabitants.

In a post on X, Karim said political differences should not overshadow the need for better road infrastructure, environmental protection and a comprehensive policy addressing the concerns of communities living within Dal Lake.

He said the absence of a clearly defined physical perimeter had contributed to encroachments and the shrinking of water bodies over the years, while thousands of commuters continued to face severe traffic congestion along the Dalgate-Hazratbal stretch.

Karim said a properly planned peripheral bund was essential to protect the lake's boundaries but maintained that conservation efforts must also address the difficulties faced by its traditional inhabitants.

Questioning what he termed selective concern for ecology, the JKPC leader alleged that high-end commercial establishments and hotels were able to secure construction permissions in designated green belts, while more than 20,000 native Dal dwellers continued to struggle for basic repair permissions, sanitation facilities and dignified living conditions.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

"Ecological protection cannot come at the cost of treating generational communities as an inconvenience to be erased," Karim said.

He said the growing requirements of families living within Dal Lake, the high cost of alternative land in Srinagar and the lack of sustainable livelihood opportunities in resettlement colonies must be considered while formulating conservation and rehabilitation policies.

Referring to international examples, Karim said cities such as Venice and waterfront communities across Southeast Asia had demonstrated that environmental conservation and traditional settlements could coexist through effective sewage treatment, regulated waterfront development and sustainable heritage planning.

He called for a balanced and comprehensive approach, saying the construction of the Western Foreshore Road and a properly designed peripheral bund should be accompanied by a transparent, long-term policy to prevent encroachments and pollution while protecting the legitimate rights and livelihoods of Dal dwellers.

Karim said conservation should not become a tool for political theatrics but should translate into practical measures aimed at protecting the environment, easing traffic congestion and ensuring dignity for communities that have lived alongside Dal Lake for generations. (KNS)