Kashmir’s Lakes on the Brink: A Growing Environmental Crisis : JAMEEL ANSARI

Kashmir’s Lakes on the Brink:

A Growing Environmental Crisis

Jameel Ansari

Jammu and Kashmir, renowned across the world for its breathtaking landscapes, snow-capped mountains, and serene lakes, is facing a grave environmental crisis. In recent years, this natural beauty has come under severe threat. A recent report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India has exposed a disturbing reality: most of Kashmir’s lakes are either shrinking rapidly or have already disappeared, signaling a serious ecological danger.

According to the report, nearly 74 percent of the 697 natural lakes in Jammu and Kashmir have been affected in one way or another. Of these, 315 lakes have completely vanished, while 203 have experienced a significant reduction in area. Since 1967, approximately 2,851 hectares of lake area have been lost, clearly indicating that this is not a temporary issue but the result of long-term environmental degradation.

A closer analysis of 63 selected lakes revealed that 11 have disappeared entirely, while 30 are undergoing severe shrinkage. These figures suggest that around 41 percent of the lakes have either been lost or are critically endangered. One of the primary causes of this decline is pollution, with nearly 79 percent of the lakes receiving untreated sewage.

The condition of Dal Lake, in particular, is alarming. The excessive growth of aquatic vegetation—recorded at over 180 percent—points to a process known as eutrophication, where an overabundance of nutrients degrades water quality and threatens aquatic life. Although sewage treatment plants exist around Dal Lake, they are failing to meet the required standards.

Similarly, Wular Lake, one of Asia’s largest freshwater lakes, is shrinking at an alarming rate. Pollution, illegal encroachments, conversion into agricultural land, and the disappearance of native fish species such as Schizothorax richardsonii reflect a dangerous ecological imbalance.

Hokersar Lake presents yet another troubling case. The report highlights that over 2,528 kanals of its area have been encroached upon. Additionally, the absence of a comprehensive conservation plan has led to increased siltation and a steady decline in open water area.

A major factor behind this crisis is administrative failure and the lack of a coordinated policy framework. The report clearly points out the absence of a central or unified authority for lake conservation. As a result, different departments operate in isolation, leading to inefficiency and poor outcomes. Furthermore, serious lapses in fund utilization have been observed, with only 19 to 56 percent of allocated funds being used over several years.

The devastating floods of 2014 had a significant impact on these water bodies, yet no scientific assessment was carried out to evaluate the damage. The failure to properly identify and protect natural inflows, catchment areas, and hydrological systems has further accelerated the degradation.

Changes in land use, urban expansion, agricultural activities, and illegal encroachments have also contributed significantly to this crisis. Satellite imagery reveals a continuous decline in open water areas, accompanied by an increase in construction and agricultural land.

In light of these findings, it is evident that Kashmir’s lakes are facing an existential threat. Without immediate, effective, and science-based interventions, not only will these water bodies disappear, but the ecological balance, biodiversity, and livelihoods of thousands of people will also be severely affected.

Environmental experts emphasize the importance of community participation in lake conservation. Unless local communities—especially those whose livelihoods depend directly on these lakes—are actively involved, the success of government initiatives will remain limited. Public awareness campaigns, educational programs, and the involvement of civil society are crucial to fostering a sense of responsibility among the people.

Moreover, modern technologies such as remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) can play a vital role in continuous monitoring. These tools can help detect encroachments and pollution in real time, enabling policymakers to make informed and timely decisions.

It must be understood that Kashmir’s lakes are not merely tourist attractions; they are integral to the region’s identity, economy, and cultural heritage. Protecting them is, in essence, safeguarding the future of coming generations. If decisive action is not taken today, tomorrow may offer nothing but regret.

The need of the hour is for the government to establish a central regulatory authority, adopt modern scientific approaches, strengthen sewage treatment systems, and take strict action against encroachments. Otherwise, these magnificent lakes may soon become nothing more than a part of history.

(Jameel Ansari is a calligraphist, artist, journalist, and writer with a keen engagement in literary and cultural expression. He serves as the Associate Editor of LitStream Kashmiri, contributing to the promotion of contemporary voices and regional literature. He can be reached at Jameelnishatansari0@gmail.com.)