J&K’s silent ecological catastrophe |
Jammu and Kashmir lakes, mainly of tectonic and glacial origin, hold immense historical and topographical significance with ancient scriptures mentioning them as sacred sites.
How we fail; there were around 1230 water bodies in J&K, out of which there were 697 lakes as per 1967 Census. The major lakes include Harmukh Mountain Alpine Area lakes and part of Himalayan mountain range. Gangbal, Nandkul, Kundsar, Sheera Sar, Wular lake, Mansbal Lake, Tarsar, Marsar, Sheeshnaag, Khushalsar lake, Dal lake & Nigeen lake in Kashmir, and Mansar-Surinsar Ramsar in Jammu region. The comprehensive audit report of lakes in J&K issued by Comptroller & Auditor General of India (CAG) reveals shocking report of disappearance of 315 lakes out of 697 lakes that existed in year 1967; 203 lakes are rapidly shrinking and are at the verge of extinction. The Audit report reveals 45% lakes have vanished and 29% lakes are at the verge of extinction in last 58 years. This alarming trend is not just based on hypothetical analysis but on the basis of comprehensive audit, which was conducted in conformity with the auditing standards issued by the Comptroller & Auditor General of India.
The reports suggests 259 lakes vanished in Jammu region and 56 vanished in Kashmir. Only 6 lakes out of 697 got Govt attention, that too limited, since 1967 such as Dal lake in Kashmir and Surinsar & Mansar in Jammu. Only 1% of budget was allocated for conservation, development & management of lakes.
The lakes that existed before few decades cease to exist and can no longer be seen on the graph of J&K. The........