Srinagar, Aug. 27 -- Srinagar- With the city preparing to host the first International Film Festival at the SKICC, the Lake Conservation and Management Authority (LCMA) has swung into action to spruce up the areas around the venue and Lalit Ghat.

But just beyond the festival spotlight, large stretches of the iconic Dal Boulevard continue to present a very different picture - one of waste, neglect and haphazard development.

LCMA on Wednesday inspected the areas around SKICC and Lalit Ghat and ordered an intensive cleanliness drive ahead of the September 7-10 festival.

Four machines, including three harvesters and a Water Master, have been deployed to remove aquatic weeds and floating material around the designated areas.

The exercise i...