Srinagar, Sept. 22 -- Jammu and Kashmir's iconic Dal Lake, which is under conservation plan of government, has been cleared of weeds by one-third, while its expanse has increased to 20.3 sq km, J&K lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha said on Sunday. Sinha joined the Dal Lake cleanliness drive as a part of the ongoing 'Sewa Parv' in Srinagar. He said that Dal lake is cleaner and attracts large numbers of domestic and international visitors. "More than one third of the lake has been rejuvenated and vast areas were cleared of Lilies and open expanse of the Dal Lake has been increased for the first time to more than 20.3 sq km," Sinha said. Over the years, Dal lake has been facing pollutants and effluents from the surrounding residential and commercial areas that go into the lake while people have also been encroaching on its peripheries. The lieutenant governor felicitated the "Swachhagrahis" for their valuable contribution to cleanliness campaigns. He called upon citizens to preserve lakes, rivers and other water bodies through community involvement. "Our natural resources are reminding us to learn the lessons from the wrongs we have committed in the past. We must respect the delicate balance of nature and concerted efforts should be made to clean our lake and rivers," the LG said. He emphasised the need to synergise economic development with environmental resources.....