Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir have initiated the restoration process of an old reservoir near Harwan Park on the outskirts of Srinagar.
The reservoir, which is now filled with dirty water and silt, will be cleaned up, expanded and filled with water.
"The reservoir near the park in Harwan was filled and unusable for many years. So, our department has taken up an initiative to revive its storage. The water trickled down from the Dachigam drain and now the capacity has also reduced in the reservoir and silt has assembled over the years," said Chief Engineer Irrigation and Flood Control Kashmir, Javaid Jaffer.
The main reason for the restoration and expansion of the water reservoir is to maintain the glory of this historical water body and to reserve water for irrigation and domestic purposes in the nearby villages.
Being close to the Dachigam National Park in Kashmir, it will also help enhance beauty of the area and boost tourism.
Moreover, the rise in tourism will help increase employment opportunities in the adjoining areas.
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"When farmers needed water for cultivation, often there was a shortage in the reservoir. Now there will be water in the reservoir so cultivation will be easy. Tourism in the nearby Dachigam Nation Park will also increase. Birds will come to sit here, more visitors will come, and the unemployed people will get more employment opportunities," said Abdul Ahad Mir, a resident of the area.
The project has been started with the 90 percent funds from the central government and 10 percent funds from the provincial government. The cost of the project is estimated to be at 90 million.
Kashmir was once dubbed the Switzerland of the east. It was once a Mecca for climbers, skiers, honeymooners and filmmakers drawn to the state's soaring peaks, fruit orchards and timber houseboats bobbing on Dal Lake in Srinagar, the summer capital.
Planeloads of India's upwardly mobile middle classes have visited the picture postcard-perfect Kashmir Valley this summer, making it the busiest tourist season since the armed revolt began in 1989.