Aleem Akhtar to concerned houseboat owners: Doctor, Heal Thyself.
(Aleem Ibne Akhtar, 23, was born and brought up in Srinagar. He did his schooling at the Tyndale Biscoe Memorial School and his B.A. (Economics) from Fergusson College, Pune. He went for higher studies in U.K., completing his Master’s degree in Economics from the University of Essex last September, and is currently enrolled at the same University for a doctorate in Development Economics. His interests are minority empowerment in India, and everything to do with Kashmir.)
This is in response to the ‘awareness’ rally carried out by the House Boat Owners Association regarding the preservation of the Dal Lake. To raise awareness amongst the masses, highlighting the poignant condition of the lake, is a noble cause but seems somewhat ironic for the House Boat owners to protest against the Government and other polluters of the lake. It is indeed the sewage of the House Boats that has been and still is the major factor responsible for the lake’s rotten condition. If anyone at all needs to be educated about the conservation of the lake, it is the house Boat owners! Not only because of being primary contributors to the Lake’s pollution but also because they are the only living beneficiaries of the Lake!
House Boats in Kashmir gained prominence as a result of a ban imposed by the Maharaja which prohibited the ownership of land in Kashmir by non state subjects. In the wake of this, House Boats became a prominent haven for the visiting British tourists, offering luxury five star abodes to them. House Boats became mascots of Kashmir tourism and gained a world wide acclaim.
However the British during their time had ensured two things. One, the House Boats would not permanently stay on the Dal. They would move to Jehlum in the lean season. Second, scavengers would clean the toilets and take night soil away from the lake. This ensured that the Dal water remained as pure with the tourists as it was without them.
However after 1975, the House Boats monopolized the Dal waters and now they are not allowing the authorities even to re adjust their mooring in accordance with the High Court order. And about the human waste disposal, less said the better. All the toilets open directly into the lake, making its water not just shitty but a breading ground for all kinds of weed and disease. The open drains from the city of course compliment the contribution of the House Boats in making Dal world’s most beautiful latrine.
Average cost of a House Boat is in no case less than one crore these days. But, ask any house boat owner to use a green toilet which should not cost more that Rupees two lacs and they would demand subsidies and raise a banner of revolt against any such suggestion.
I hope at least one well meaning House Boat owner takes the initiative of going Green and installing a Green Toilet as has been promised by Laloo Yadav in his latest budget for the Indian Railways. This is a very cost effective and easy solution to neutralize the impact of houseboats which otherwise would be increasingly seen as the chief destroyers of Dal lake. In fact others living on the water body itself could take a queue from this and save their habitat. That small initiative would be worth a million shouts on the Boulevard.