‘Mother of Dal’: Dutch lady's selfless mission to clean Srinagar’s Dal Lake wins hearts

Srinagar: In a world often numbed by indifference, a quiet act of devotion has captured hearts across Kashmir and far beyond.

A video showing a 69-year-old Dutch woman gently rowing her boat across Srinagar’s Dal Lake while picking up trash has gone viral on social media — not just for its scenic charm, but for the powerful message it carries.

The woman, Ellis Hubertina Spaanderman, isn’t a visitor passing through. She is someone who chose to make Kashmir her home, and for the past five years, has taken up a solitary but resolute mission: to clean and protect Dal Lake, one discarded bottle at a time.

Affectionately called the “Mother of Dal” by locals, Ellis first arrived in Kashmir over 25 years ago. Moved by the Valley’s beauty and its deep, soulful serenity, she kept returning — until, five years ago, she decided to leave her life in the Netherlands behind and settle in the Valley.

Since then, Ellis has become a familiar sight on the waters of Dal Lake. Almost every morning, she sets out alone in her wooden shikara, armed with gloves and a paddle, collecting plastic, polythene, and other waste floating in the once-pristine waters.

Her mission comes at a time when Dal Lake — long a symbol of Kashmir’s natural grandeur — has been facing years of neglect and ecological stress, from pollution and untreated sewage to rampant encroachment and unregulated tourism. Government efforts to restore the lake have moved slowly, and enforcement of environmental safeguards remains weak.

But Ellis’s actions have struck a chord. The recent viral video of her rowing through the lake and picking up garbage has triggered widespread admiration. Thousands have viewed, shared, and commented on the clip, praising her dedication — and questioning why more isn’t being done by locals and authorities.

“Dal Lake gave me peace when I needed it. Now it’s my turn to give back,” Ellis told reporters when asked about her motivations.

Her activism doesn’t stop at the lake’s edge. A passionate cyclist and nature lover, Ellis is often seen riding through the streets of Srinagar, urging residents to adopt cleaner, greener lifestyles. Her Instagram feed is a blend of Kashmir’s stunning beauty and her own tireless efforts — cleanup updates, cultural snapshots, and reflections on life in the Valley.

In one of her recent posts, she wrote: “Cleaning up Kashmir, please, help me. Never underestimate the power of the smallest actions… Don’t point fingers, don’t blame either at other people (tourists or locals) or governments… Instead do your own part by not throwing your waste everywhere, even collecting some waste of others as I do.”

For many Kashmiris, Ellis’s quiet activism is both humbling and inspiring. “She came from thousands of miles away and cares more for our lakes and environment than we do,” said Amir Ahmad, a student. “She is a blessing.”

As the video continues to circulate and inspire, perhaps the “Mother of Dal” will succeed not just in cleaning the lake, but in awakening a conscience that has long been asleep.