Wular Lake

Wular Lake, nestled in the heart of the Kashmir Valley, is the largest freshwater lake in India, lying 40km northwest of Srinagar City in the Bandipora District of Jammu and Kashmir, India. Wular Lake is also one of the largest freshwater lakes in Asia. Surrounded by picturesque landscapes and snow-capped mountains, Wular Lake has not only been a source of sustenance for the local communities but also a haven for diverse flora and fauna. However, the lake is facing challenges due to the high levels of silting, massive plantation, encroachment and expansion of agriculture fields. These challenges have led to the shrinkage of the Lake area and degradation of the natural resources. The lake has been included in Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.

Wular lake is considered as the remnant of a prehistoric lake: the Satisar lake, as per Hindu mythology. The sultan of Kashmir Zain-ul-Abidin ordered the construction of the artificial island of Zaina Lank in the middle of the Wular lake in 1444. The Central Government, during the 1980s, proposed to construct the Wular barrage to dam water inflow however the project could not be completed due to rising militancy.

Wular Lake is primarily fed by the river Jhelum. The lake basin is formed due to the active tectonic activities.The size of the lake is 189 sq. km and it lies at an altitude of 1,580 m. Its length is around 16km and breadth of 10km whereas its maximum depth is 14 metres. The lake is surrounded by high mountain ranges on the north-eastern side. River Jhelum passes through the lake at Babyari and leaves it at Ningli. The lake is surrounded by a number of wetlands at its fringes like Malgam, Nygam, Nawgam in the Baramula District of Kashmir. These wetlands are important as they sustain a large population of both resident and migratory birds.

Key facts:

• Largest site: Sundarbans, West Bengal
• Smallest Site: Vembannur Wetland Complex, Tamil Nadu
• State with Maximum number of Ramsar Sites: Tamil Nadu (14)
• Wetlands in Montreux Record: Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) and Loktak Lake (Manipur)

• Wular Lake serves a significant role in absorption of annual floodwater thus supporting the hydrographic system of the Kashmir Valley.
• The vast marshes that encircle the lake are home to a variety of natural wildlife.
• Wular Lake serves as a sustainable wintering site for many migratory waterfowl species including, Cattle Egzet, Little Egzet, Common Pochard, Shoveler and Mallard.
• Wular Lake contributes about 60% of the fish yield of the Valley and more than 8,000 fishermen earn their livelihood from Wular Lake. The lake is an important habitat for fish.
• The lake provides harvest plants such as the grass Phragmites and the waterlily-like Nymphoides which are used by many families as animal fodder.
• There is a thick growth of Trapa natans around the lake, which provides a good revenue to the State Government.

Inclusion in Ramsar Convention: The lake was included as a Wetland of National Importance under the Wetlands Programme of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India in 1986 for intensive conservation and management purposes and due to its hydrological, biological and socio-economic values. Subsequently in 1990, it was designated as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention.

Changes in ecological character and concerns: The area of the lake is shrinking due to the problem of siltation along with conservation of lake area for paddy cultivation and fuel wood plantations.

• Encroachment: Large proportions of the lake area have been concerted for different land use purposes like plantations, paddy cultivation and miscellaneous purposes.The lake suffers from human encroachments and deterioration of water quality as a large number of villages are located around the lake.
• Pollution: The effluents brought by the river Jhelum, Bohnar, Madamati, Erin and Ningal causes rampant siltation.
• Reduced Water Storage: The Lake has shrunk by over half, reducing almost one-fifth of the area’s water storage capacity due to the overall water spread and marsh areas.
• Reduced biological diversity: There is a loss of some important endemic and endangered species due to human pressures on the wetland.

• Action Plan: Government of UT of Jammu & Kashmir has prepared an Action Plan for controlling soil erosion and development of the catchment area.
• The Tulbul Project: It is a "navigation lock-cum-control structure" at the mouth of Wular Lake aimed at managing water levels of the river during the lean season
• It National Lake Conservation Programme: two million trees will be cut to restore Wular Lake
• South Asian Voluntary Association of Environmentalists (SAVE): It is a joint initiative of individuals with the aim to protect the ecology and to conserve nature at Wular Lake.

• Ecological Rehabilitation by implementing wetland restoration programs to revive degraded areas around lake.
• Pollution control such as controlling agricultural runoff into the lake.
• Biodiversity conservation by regular assessments to monitor health of flora and fauna in and around the lake.e
• Facilitating stakeholder collaboration such as among government agencies, local communities, NGOs and private stakeholders.
• Community engagement by raising awareness among local communities about the importance of the lake and its ecosystem.
• Promoting eco-friendly and sustainable tourism practices.

Wular lake has been a major support system for the flora and fauna around it. Its contribution to the fishing economy, along with tourism, holds much significance. It is thus important to adopt measures to conserve the lake by embracing collective efforts and sustainable practices to maintain its ecological character and natural beauty.