VOA标准英语2009年-Pollution Threatens Houseboat Owners'

Houseboat business dating from the days of the British Raj important economic contributor to Himalayan region

Rebecca Byerly | Kashmir, India 15 December 2009

 
Kashmir Houseboats

A centuries-old way of life for boat people living on once pristine¹ Himalayan lakes is threatened by pollution in Indian-controlled Kashmir.

Every morning for nearly seven decades Azim Tuman has looked out over Nagin Lake in Indian-controlled Kashmir.  He and his family operate houseboats and cater² to tourists from around the world.

"My family has been one of the pioneers among the four families who started tourism here," he said.  "We have a record from 1880."

These delicately carved houseboats have been moored³ along the tranquil⁴ waters of Dal Lake and Nagin Lake of Srinagar since British colonial days. The boat business fell off in recent years because of the conflict between India and Pakistan over Control of Kashmir.

"These 19 years have broken our backs," Tuman stated.

Now, there's relative peace along the lakes and tourists are starting to return.  Still, houseboat operators say their livelihood⁵ is threatened.

Sewage from more than a million people dumps directly into the lakes.  And springs that feed them are blocked by trash and human waste.

In the last three decades the lakes have shrunk to less than half of their original size.  India's central government has pumped tens of millions of dollars to have the lakes cleaned. Most of the money was spent of dredging equipment. But Tuman and others who live on the water say these machines rarely work and have not helped with the pollution problem.

Houseboats also contribute to the lake's pollution and the development authority says  they should install small sewage systems. Azim Tuman's son, Yaseen, agrees, but he says some boat owners can't afford it.

Yaseen and his father disagree on the future of the houseboat industry.

"My calculation for the houseboat industry is for another 25 years," Tuman said.

His son is more hopeful. "The future of the  industry is very much connected to the future of the lakes.  The more we get our lakes cleaner we leave them secure for the future generations the future of the houseboats is good," he said.

 

1 pristine   

adj.原来的，古时的，原始的，纯净的，无垢的

参考例句：

• He wiped his fingers on his pristine handkerchief.他用他那块洁净的手帕擦手指。
• He wasn't about to blemish that pristine record.他本不想去玷污那清白的过去。

2 cater   

vi.(for/to)满足，迎合；(for)提供饮食及服务

参考例句：

• I expect he will be able to cater for your particular needs.我预计他能满足你的特殊需要。
• Most schools cater for children of different abilities.大多数学校能够满足具有不同天资的儿童的需要。

3 moored   

adj. 系泊的 动词moor的过去式和过去分词形式

参考例句：

• The ship is now permanently moored on the Thames in London. 该船现在永久地停泊在伦敦泰晤士河边。
• We shipped (the) oars and moored alongside the bank. 我们收起桨，把船泊在岸边。

4 tranquil   

adj. 安静的, 宁静的, 稳定的, 不变的

参考例句：

• The boy disturbed the tranquil surface of the pond with a stick. 那男孩用棍子打破了平静的池面。
• The tranquil beauty of the village scenery is unique. 这乡村景色的宁静是绝无仅有的。

5 livelihood   

n.生计，谋生之道

参考例句：

• Appropriate arrangements will be made for their work and livelihood.他们的工作和生活会得到妥善安排。
• My father gained a bare livelihood of family by his own hands.父亲靠自己的双手勉强维持家计。