Wular Lake

Overview
Wular lake is one of the largest freshwater lakes in Asia. It plays a significant role in the hydrographic system of the Kashmir valley by acting as a huge absorption basin for the annual floodwaters. The lake, along with the extensive marshes surrounding it, is an important natural habitat for wildlife. It is also an important habitat for fish, accounting for 60 per cent of the total fish production within the State of Jammu and Kashmir. The lake is a source of livelihood for a large human population living along its fringes. The catchment area of the lake supports magnificent coniferous forests, alpine pastures and orchards, adding to the natural beauty and biodiversity of the wetland area.

In recognition of its biological, hydrological and socio-economic values, the lake was included in 1986 as a Wetland of National Importance under the Wetlands Programme of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India for intensive conservation and management purposes. Subsequently in 1990, it was designated as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention.

Justification for Designation as Ramsar Site
The lake acts as a huge absorption basin for floodwaters and regulates the water regime of the region.
The lake along with its satellite wetlands, is a suitable wintering site for a number of migratory waterfowl species such as the common teal, pintail, shoveller, common pochard, mallard and others.
It is an important habitat for fish and contributes about 60 percent of the fish yield of the Kashmir valley.
The lake sustains a number of endangered and endemic species of flora and fauna.

Biodiversity Values

Flora
The Wular lake is densely populated with different macrophytic species. Three zones of vegetation viz. (i) emergent, (ii) rooted, floating - leaf type and (iii) submergent are distinguishable in the lake. All three zones are characterised by a specific type of life form embracing a distinctive assemblage of plant species.

The extent and occurence of individual species is closely related to variations in water depth and its associated influences. A total of 82 species of phytoplankton have been reported in Wular lake fl ora. Overall, 50 species of zooplankton have been reported.

Fauna
The Wular lake is an important habitat for the fish fauna of the region. It provides about 60 per cent of the fish yield of the Kashmir region. The dominant fish species found in the Wular are: Cyprinus carpio, Barbus conchonius, Gambusia affinis, Nemacheilus sp., Crossocheilus latius, Schizothorax curvifrons, S.esocinus, S.planifrons, S.micropogon, S.longipinus and S.niger.

The Wular lake with its characteristic features sustains a rich population of avifauna. Terrestrial birds observed around the lake are the black - eared kite, sparrow hawk, short - toed eagle, Himalayan golden eagle, hawks and vultures, monal pheasant, chukar partridge, kiklas pheasant, blue rock pigeon, cuckoo, small cuckoo, alpine swift, Kashmir roller, Himalayan pied woodpecker, hoopoe, common swallow, golden oriole and others.

Social & Cultural Values
The Wular lake is of great socio - economic importance in the valley of Kashmir both in regard to its ecological and economic aspects. It offers sustenance to thousands of people living in and around the lake. More than eight thousand fishermen earn their livelihood from this lake and are the main suppliers of the endemic Schizothorax and the exotic Cyprinus carpio.

About 60 per cent of fish yield in Kashmir is contributed by the Wular lake. Additionally, hundreds of local villagers are engaged by cooperative societies which deal in fish and thus earn their livelihood. A large number of families are also dependent on the lake for fodder from plant species such as Phragmites, Nymphoides, etc.

Threats
Encroachments resulting in converting vast catchment areas into agriculture land;
Pollution from fertilizers and animal wastes;
Hunting pressure on waterfowl and migratory birds;
Weed infestation.

Conservation Measures
The problems of the Wular lake have not been well recognised until recently. A number of reports and action plans have appeared in recent years, namely the Study of Wular Lake, Soil Conservation Scheme for Catchment Area of Wular Lake, Ecological Restoration Plan for Erin Watershed of Wular Catchment, 1988 and the Wular Wetland Conservation Project, 1993. Kashmir University is a repository of information on flora, fauna, water quality and other ecological features of the satellite wetlands around the Wular lake. Several reports also exist on specific aspects of the lake such as plankton, fisheries, siltation, hydrology, geology and wildlife. S.P.College, Srinagar carried out a study on some limnological aspects of the lake during 1989-92 under a project funded by the Ministry of Environment and Forests. The Wular Lake study (1994) funded by WWF - India was the first detailed study carried out on the lake.

A survey to find out current landuse patterns is essential before a holistic landuse management plan is developed for the lake periphery, for the protection of the lake and sustainable use of its resources.