74 per cent of natural lakes in J&K shrink or vanish, says CAG

Nestled in the breathtaking landscapes of Kashmir and Jammu, the world-famous Dal Lake and serene Nageen Lake in Srinagar, along with the picturesque Sanasar, Mansar, and Surinsar Lakes in Jammu, continue to draw thousands of tourists every year.

During Shikara rides, many tourists capture unforgettable moments by clicking selfies and photos against the scenic backdrop, creating lifelong memories that they cherish forever.

Barring these tourist hotspots, more than 500 natural lakes in Jammu and Kashmir have already faded from memory.

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) in its recent report has revealed that 518 out of 697 natural lakes, over 74 per cent, have either disappeared or decreased in size since 1967, leading to significant ecological imbalance and loss of biodiversity.

The CAG also observed that conservation efforts were limited to only six lakes Dal, Wular, Hokersar, Manasbal, Surinsar and Mansar, while no structured programmes existed for the remaining 691 lakes.

As per the CAG report on the conservation of lakes in the Union territory, out of the total 697 lakes with a total area of 28,990 hectares, as many as 315 lakes covering 1,537.07 hectares have disappeared, while the area of 203 lakes shrank by 1,314.19 hectares. “There was a total decrease and disappearance of area of 2,851.26 hectares in 518 lakes,” the report stated.

The CAG strongly recommended a series of measures for effective conservation and management of lakes in Jammu and Kashmir, stressing the need for a structured and time-bound approach.

It said this large-scale shrinkage has resulted in loss of flora and fauna, disruption of ecological services, and adverse impacts on water, food and biodiversity.

It also said the reduction in lake area has contributed to climate insecurity and was one of the factors behind the devastating Jammu and Kashmir floods in September 2014, highlighting that lakes act as natural flood buffers.

Jammu and Kashmir, endowed with 697 natural lakes spread across 20 districts in two divisions, holds immense ecological and socio-economic significance, it said. These include 185 major lakes larger than five hectares, such as the Wular Lake, the largest freshwater lake in India, along with several other prominent water bodies.

The audit report revealed that 150 lakes recorded an increase in area by 538.22 hectares, while 29 lakes remained unchanged. However, it pointed out that the reasons behind the increase in lake areas were neither analysed nor monitored by the departments concerned.

Of the disappeared lakes, 80 fell under the jurisdiction of the forest department, while 235 were under the revenue and agriculture departments. Among the 203 lakes that recorded shrinkage, 63 have lost more than 50 per cent of their area, putting them at high risk of extinction, it added.

The CAG attributed the disappearance and degradation of lakes primarily to changes in land use within lake bodies and their catchment areas, along with deforestation, climate change and unregulated human activities.

The audit, which covered 63 sampled lakes accounting for 87 per cent of the total lake area, used satellite imagery, remote sensing data and field verification to assess spatio-temporal changes. It found that some lakes had nearly dried up, while others, such as Khushal Sar and Anchar, were undergoing severe degradation.

“A questionnaire-based survey on 63 test-checked lakes was also undertaken by the audit. Further, the audit utilised the satellite images of the lakes provided by the ecology, environment and remote sensing department (EE&RSD) to analyse the spatio-temporal changes in lakes”, it said.

The report also highlighted institutional and administrative gaps, noting that despite being mandated since 1989, the forest department had not prepared comprehensive conservation and management plans for 255 lakes under its jurisdiction.

The report cited a lack of technical manpower and infrastructure as key constraints.

Recommending urgent action, the CAG called for the enactment of a comprehensive law for the conservation and management of lakes and the establishment of a centralised, specialised authority to ensure coordinated efforts.

It also stressed the need for enhanced funding, scientific planning, and deployment of experts, including hydrologists, ecologists and GIS specialists. The report suggested strengthening sewage treatment, preventing encroachments, regulating construction around lakes, and launching public awareness campaigns to safeguard these critical ecosystems.

Emphasising that lake conservation is a scientific and multi-disciplinary process, the CAG urged the Government to adopt a holistic approach to restore and preserve the fragile lake ecosystems in Jammu and Kashmir. The Comptroller and Auditor General has strongly recommended a series of measures for effective conservation and management of lakes in Jammu and Kashmir, stressing the need for a structured and time-bound approach.

It said that Generic Lake management activities, such as survey, categorisation, sewage treatment, flushing, etc., need to be planned and carried out in a time-bound manner. CAG recommended that the Government of Jammu and Kashmir increase its budgetary allocation for the conservation and management of lakes, highlighting the need for greater financial commitment to protect these vital natural resources.