Mehbooba Mufti opposes motorable boulevard on western side of famous Dal Lake

Opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Mehbooba Mufti expressed her concern on October 12, 2026, over a ruling National Conference (NC) legislator's proposal to construct a motorable boulevard along the western shore of Dal Lake. Mufti criticized the move, stating it is intended to manipulate and promote a vote-bank agenda.

She emphasized that Cherry Park should remain an ecopark, not sacrificed for political appeasement. Mufti questioned the rationale behind compromising Nigeen Lake's tranquillity and highlighted the need for ecological protection in Kashmir rather than partisan politics.

The opposition came following NC legislator Tanvir Sadiq's introduction of a private members' Bill, 'The Right to Dignified Eco-Housing in Lakeside Areas Bill, 2026,' in the J&K Assembly. The bill aimed to rehabilitate Dal inhabitants living around the lake, contrary to the 2000 policy of relocating them to the city outskirts. Sadiq also proposed the boulevard on the western shore to alleviate traffic for the lake dwellers.

The proposal stirred criticism from the Environmental Policy Group (EPG), a local advocacy group, which pointed out the lake's size had shrunk by 10.15% from 2007 to 2020, from 15.40 square kilometres to 12.91 square kilometres.

EPG warned that the lake was a living ecological system, a natural flood buffer, and one of Kashmir's most critical environmental assets. They opposed land filling, reclamation for roads, residential structures, or other infrastructure. The group demanded a thorough environmental, legal, and technical examination of the proposed legislation, urging the Assembly not to legitimize degradation by treating its consequences as a fait accompli.

J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah delivered a speech at the 13th Sustainable Mountain Development Summit in Srinagar on the same day, advocating for a balanced approach to sustainable mountain development. He emphasized the need for environmental responsibility from the government, residents, businesses, and visitors, urging locals to conserve resources, avoid littering, and reduce single-use plastics.