From Holland to Kashmir: A 69-Year-Old Woman's Resolve Against Plastic Pollution in Dal Lake
Srinagar: On any given morning, as the sun gently rises over the tranquil waters of Dal Lake, slicing through the mist that veils Srinagar's most iconic waterbody, a lone boat can often be seen gliding silently. At its helm, wearing a broad-brimmed hat and rowing with quiet determination, is a 69-year-old woman not native to the valley, but very much at home here. Her name is Ellis Hubertina Spaaanderman, a Dutch national who has spent more than two decades immersed in the rhythms of life around Dal Lake – and is now trying to give something back.
Ellis may not have grown up with the snowy Zabarwan Range in her backyard, but her connection to Kashmir runs deep. Having first visited the valley nearly 25 years ago, she found herself enchanted by its beauty, culture and the warmth of its people. 'I came here as a traveler,' she says, 'but I stayed because this place touched my soul.'
In a region often in the headlines for its political complexity, Ellis's story offers a different kind of narrative – one of quiet strength, care and individual agency in the face of overwhelming environmental neglect.
Her mission? Cleaning the growing menace of plastic waste from Dal Lake, a jewel of Kashmir that has in recent decades become a dumping ground for single-use plastics and untreated sewage.
A personal initiative
The serene image of shikara (wooden boats, primarily found in Kashmir) gliding over lotus-filled waters masks a grimmer reality – one that Ellis confronts daily. 'People see Dal Lake in postcards and Instagram photos, but they don't see the layers of plastic bags, bottles, wrappers and garbage floating just beneath the surface,' she says.
Without any institutional support, funding or fanfare, Ellis
Shikaras parked on Dal Lake, Srinagar. Photo: Kanwal Singh
has turned her wooden boat into a floating clean-up unit. Armed with little more than a rake and her bare hands, she collects kilograms of plastic waste from the lake every week. Sometimes, children on nearby houseboats watch her with curiosity; at other times, tourists mistake her for a local guide. But what she's doing is neither tourism nor hobby – it is a quiet act of environmental defiance.
'What breaks my heart is that this plastic wasn't here when I first came to Kashmir,' she reflects. 'Dal was clearer. The water was cleaner. Now, every day, I pick up garbage that will take hundreds of years to decompose.'
Why it matters
Dal Lake is not just a waterbody. It is the beating heart of Srinagar – a source of livelihood for thousands, a hub for tourism and a living ecosystem of fish, birds, aquatic plants and culture. Its degradation is both a symbol and symptom of the broader ecological crisis in the valley. Urban sprawl, unregulated construction, tourism pressure and lack of proper waste management systems have all contributed to the lake's decline.
Despite periodic efforts by the local government, including dredging and anti-encroachment drives, the lake remains under serious environmental stress. While policies are drafted and budgets are debated, Ellis has chosen to act herself – and her actions speak volumes.
'Governments will do what they can, but it is also the people who must feel responsible,' she says. 'This is not just a Kashmiri issue. It's a global one. Plastic pollution doesn't know borders.'
A lesson in humanity
What makes Ellis's story even more powerful is her status as a foreigner who has chosen to invest in a cause many locals have come to accept with indifference or resignation. In an era where climate fatigue and environmental nihilism are common, her daily efforts are a testament to what one individual can do when motivated by love and purpose.
'She's an inspiration to all of us,' says Bilal Ahmad, a local vendor who has often seen her collecting trash. 'It's shameful that someone from so far away cares more about our lake than some of us who live here.'
And it's not just about trash collection. Through conversations, social media, and simply by setting an example, Ellis is raising awareness about the need for a deeper shift – in habits, in consciousness and in collective accountability.
Other environmental initiatives in Dal Lake
Jannat Tariq, an inspiring young environmentalist, began cleaning Dal Lake at the age of five. Her dedication has garnered national attention, including recognition from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. She continues her mission through 'Mission Dal Lake,' a Facebook initiative promoting the lake's conservation.
Another notable initiative is the Jammu & Kashmir Eco Watch. Founded by environmental lawyer Nadeem Qadri, this grassroots movement unites volunteers across the region to protect wetlands, forests and lakes. Their efforts include regular cleanup drives and educational campaigns to raise environmental awareness.
The Jammu and Kashmir government has also initiated significant dredging and cleaning operations in Dal Lake. These efforts aim to improve water circulation, manage solid and wet waste and control aquatic weed growth, thereby restoring the lake's ecological health.
Looking ahead
At 69, most people would choose to slow down. But Ellis shows no signs of stopping. 'As long as I have strength in my arms and breath in my body, I will keep rowing,' she smiles. 'Dal Lake gave me peace when I needed it. Now it's my turn to give back.'
Ellis Hubertina Spaaanderman, on her boat, Dal Lake, Srinagar. Photo: Shakeel
Her story serves as a gentle but powerful reminder that sometimes, the most meaningful change doesn't come from grand gestures or institutions. Sometimes, it comes from a single boat on a quiet lake, steered by a woman who refuses to look away.
In a world that often feels too big to fix, Ellis Hubertina Spaaanderman shows us that the ripples of individual action can, indeed, travel great distances.
Kanwal Singh is a policy analyst and columnist from Jammu and Kashmir.
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