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Author: JijiPaul.S

Abstract
Dal Lake, located a mile above sea level in the Himalayan Mountain range, is one of many
natural sites that have become the forgotten victims of war and civil strife throughout India
and other troubled countries. Since India gained independence in 1947 from the British, and
Pakistan was created from eastern Indian Territory, separatist factions and militants in the
Kashmir Valley have been waging a civil war. Their stated goal is to become either a purely
autonomous region or to be joined with its neighbor Pakistan. The history of animosity
between there sidings of Kashmir and its Indian government is long and due to a variety of
reasons. Of these, the most often expressed by the Kashmir’s the feeling that they are being
discriminated against by the Indian majority. Dal Lake, and much of the surrounding area,
has become a battlefield and fallen victim to the difficulties of war. But, not only is the land
dying but many poor, native inhabitants say they can no longer continue their traditional way
of life let alone survive. Through massive deforestation and pollution the area is just an
example of what can occur without international attention and government al regulation.”
The whole system has broken down," said M.A. Kawosa, conservator of forests for the
Kashmir Valley, where separatist militants have been fighting prominently Indian
government forces for last thirty one years. "The lake is dying and our forests have had
terrible damage. J&K Government must take urgent steps to prevent illegal violations against
the lake.