This colony on the banks of Nageen, a small lake on the flanks of Dal, came up 30 years ago. Now despite the Chek Nageen being notified as the green belt area by the by Lakes and Water Ways Development Authority, the colony continues to thrive.

The residents living there moved to the place thirty years ago, after being evacuated from the middle of the Dal lake. Now Chek Nigeen also comes under the green belt area notified by LAWDA. “The construction of houses was stopped some 10-15 years ago in this area and we don’t construct houses now,” said a resident of Chek Nigeen, Abdul Gani. “We know the LAWDA will demolish it in no time”.

The residents here have been asked by the LAWDA to abstain from any type of construction in the area. Constructions complete up to the plinth level are seen at many places in the area, floating gardens which have also increased in number over the years have shrunk the area of the lake.

The major polluters of the lake at this side are the residents, the National Institute of Technology and the CRPF battalion situated inside its campus. But the people in this area consider NIT as the only major polluter. All the drains of the area are directed into the Nigeen Lake. “The drainage from the private canteens, mess, Jehlum hostel and residential quarters inside the campus goes straight into this lake,” said Habibullah Akhoon who works in the NIT hostel mess and is a resident of Chek Nigeen.

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