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The Wular Lake in north Kashmir, situated near Srinagar is the second largest lake Asia. A traditional favourite of
tourists, it is now losing its charm. The lake which is located on an altitude of 1,580 metres is surrounded by picturesque mountains and dense forests. The lake also serves as natural flood reservoir for Joel river. The lake is home to an exotic and wide variety of avian life and is a favourite haunt of ornithologists.

The gradual degradation of this lake is a matter of concern for the inhabitants of North Kashmir. The public is disappointed as proper attention is not being given for the upkeep of this majestic water body. The encroachment on the banks of Wular Lake is a reason for public concern. Locals allege that the administration is linked with the land mafia, which complicate matters.

Imtiyaz Ahmad Parray a local Congress leader, alleged that the present government is not taking steps to save this lake. He added in his interaction with BE that the situation demands action and not announcements. He further said that another big problem associated with this water body is silting. Every year, a large amount of slit is deposited in the lake which is gradually decreasing its depth.

Bashir Ahmad, a post graduate student from north Kashmir, while talking to B.E blamed official apathy for the present position of Wular Lake. He informed BE, “The government is claiming that it is taking steps on war footing to glorify the Wular lake but we see the lake is dying because of official apathy.” He added if immediate and concrete steps are not taken then this famous lake will decay and remain as a tale of history.

Sources informed BE that all though there were clear directions from High Court regarding removal of encroachments
along the banks of water bodies of Kashmir like Dal Lake and Wular Lake, the concerned authorities have miserably
failed in this regard. A survey conducted by Wetland International, South Asia showed that the area of the lake has
considerably decreased. Successive Kashmiri governments have declared different projects regarding the upkeep of this lake but these projects have invariably failed.

Environmental experts believe that the lake is drying up. An official of Wular Conservation and Management uthority
(WUCMA) told BE that they are exploring all options for the maintenance and upkeep of this lake. Locals, however,
fail to share his enthusiasm.