Explanation:

Dredging Corporation of India (DCI) in 2017, pollution and encroachment have resulted in the Dal Lake shrinking from its original area of 22 square kilometers to about 10 square kilometers.

The DCI assessment also found that intense pollution by untreated sewage and solid wastes that flow into the lake, encroachments of water channels and clogging has diminished the circulation and inflows into the lake, leading to extensive growth of the weed water hyacinth which has emerged as a health hazard.

Several environmentalists have pointed out that there are enough funds available under the Swach Bharat Mission Grameen which can be utilized to safeguard the wetlands in the rural areas.

The National Green Tribunal has many times passed directions for the restoration of water bodies.