J&K Government Unveils Comprehensive Plan for Wular Lake Conservation

Jammu, March 5 (RNA): The Jammu & Kashmir government has rolled out an extensive plan for the conservation of Wular Lake.  In a written reply to a query about the steps being contemplated for conservation of Wular Lake by MLA Gulmarg Farooq Ahamd Shah, the Chief Minster in the capacity of INcharge Minister of Housing and Urban Development informed the house about several key initiatives aimed at preserving Wular Lake, one of Asia’s largest freshwater lakes, alongside Anchar and Gilsar lakes.

The minister informed the house that  a significant achievement has been made by way of  completion of *boundary demarcation for Wular Lake. He said that 1,159 geo-referenced concrete pillars* have been installed around the lake, using *GPS and remote sensing technology*. This initiative ensures accurate delineation of the lake’s boundaries, which is crucial for conservation and land management.

 The government has carried out *dredging operations* to restore *5.0 square kilometers* of silted lake area by removing *78.43 lakh cubic meters of silt*. This effort has improved the water-holding capacity of Wular Lake, addressing critical siltation problems and enhancing its overall ecological health.

According to the minister, as part of the conservation efforts, 2,952 hectares of land have been afforested to combat soil erosion. Additionally, the removal of *1.21 lakh willow trees* (out of a target of *1.91 lakh*) has generated ₹24.96 crores in revenue, supporting both conservation and economic activities in the region.

The government further informed  Farooq Shah  in it’s written reply that it  has also undertaken regular water quality monitoring at *16 designated sites* across Wular Lake. These efforts are designed to track pollution levels and ensure the health of the lake’s ecosystem.

In an effort to promote sustainable tourism, the government has constructed *2.5 Kms of non-motorable walkways in phase 1st , which includes cycling tracks, lookout points, and jetties*. This project, costing ₹18.73 crores, aims to create eco-friendly tourist spots around Wular Lake. The second phase will include the expansion of motorable walkways and the establishment of *three eco-tourism parks* at *Baniyari*, Garoora, and Ningli.

 As part of the comprehensive strategy, the government has issued a directive under **Order 300-JK(FST) of 2024**, establishing *District Wetland Management Units (DWMUs)* in all districts of J&K. These units, chaired by Deputy Commissioners, will work on  FMP and *Integrated Management Plans (IMP)* for wetlands. These plans will be submitted to the Wetland Authority for final approval.

The government has ensured effective implementation of the *Integrated Management Plan (IMP)* and has set up a *watch and ward* system to monitor conservation efforts. A grievance redressal mechanism has also been established to address concerns and ensure the smooth execution of these initiatives.