Drying of Asia’s one of the largest freshwater lakes, Wular, in north Kashmir, must set alarm bells ringing! This is a serious indicator of climate change, a desert like situation in one of the major water bodies of Kashmir.

The prolonged dry spell coupled with extensive siltation, pollution and choking of springs has severely affected Wular’s hydrology, flora and fauna. With the lowest water level, fish stocks and water chestnut seeds have vanished. Amid prolonged dry spell and considerably less snowfall in higher reaches, Wular is devoid of fresh lease of waters.

Besides affecting the lake’s ecosystem, the drying up of the lake during peak winter season has hit the livelihood of nearly 30,000 families living around the water body. Wular is an important part of Kashmir’s hydrological system. The lake acts as an absorption basin for annual floodwaters– maintaining a balance in the Valley’s hydrographic system. Wular forms habitat for the migratory water birds within the Central Asian Flyway. In recognition of its immense ecological and socio-economic importance, Wular was designated as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention in 1990. The low water level in the lake has severely affected migratory birds taking refuge in its swatches during night.

Wular maintains the water budget of Kashmir and acts as a huge absorption basin for flood waters. Jhelum........

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