Srinagar, Mar 05 (KNO): The Jammu and Kashmir government on Wednesday said it is taking major conservation and eco-tourism development initiative for Wular Lake with Rs 18.73 crore being spent on restoration efforts including dredging and walkway construction.
In the next financial year, an additional Rs 22.09 crore has been allocated for new projects, including eco-tourism, cycling tracks and others, Minister in charge of Forest, Ecology, and Environment Department said in a written reply to queries by MLA Irshad Rasool Kar.
The minister, according to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that the Wular Conservation and Management Authority (WUCMA) has been actively implementing a Comprehensive Management Action Plan (CMAP) since its establishment in 2012.
He highlighted the completion of lake boundary demarcation with the installation of 1,159 geo-referenced concrete pillars using GPS and remote sensing technology, while the total revenue area of Wular Lake stands at 130 sq km. He also mentioned the restoration of 5 sq km of critically silted lake area by dredging 78.43 lakh cubic metres of silt, which increased the lake’s water-holding capacity.
On Eco-Tourism development, the minister said the government is taking several key projects including the construction of a Non-Motorable Walkway (Phase-I, 2.5 km) with cycling tracks, lookout points, and jetties at Banyari and S.K. Payeen, being executed by R&B at a cost of Rs 18.73 crore.
Plans for Phase-II of the walkway, with a Rs 9.99 crore investment, are set for the next financial year and Cycling tracks from Watlab, Adipora, and Ninglee under DPR development, to be executed by R&B Sopore, the minister said, adding that eco-tourism parks at Banyari, Garoora, and Ninglee have been tendered for execution at a total cost of Rs 12.10 crore.
Impact on aquatic life and corrective measures
The minister clarified that all restoration and development works follow guidelines set by Wetlands International South Asia (WISA) under CMAP, ensuring no adverse effects on aquatic life or biodiversity.
He said an impact study is being conducted by the National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee, to scientifically assess major interventions and recommend corrective measures where necessary.
The minister also stated that Wular Lake contributes 60% of Kashmir’s total fish production, directly supporting 5,200 registered fishermen. While fisheries fall under the Fisheries Department’s jurisdiction, WUCMA has initiated several scientific studies, including a SKUAST-Kashmir study on ichthyofaunal biodiversity and catch-per-unit effort, providing crucial data for sustainable fishery management, and a livelihood study by IIM, aimed at identifying additional economic engagement opportunities for local fishermen and surrounding communities.
To ensure sustainable conservation alongside socio-economic growth, WUCMA is actively promoting eco-tourism as a major livelihood opportunity.
He highlighted the development of eco-tourism hubs at Zurimanz and Watlab Ghat, transforming them into Shikara-boat tourism destinations. The walkways and cycling tracks not only boost tourism but also prevent encroachments and ensure long-term protection of the lake’s ecosystem, the minister said.
He added that the government is organising birdwatching camps and environmental awareness programmes to involve local communities in conservation efforts—(KNO)