Srinagar: The Environmental Policy Group (EPG) has raised serious concern over the rapid shrinkage and disappearance of water bodies across Jammu and Kashmir, terming it a grave ecological crisis and calling for immediate, time-bound intervention by authorities.
Referring to a recent report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India, EPG Convenor Faiz Bakshi said the findings validate concerns the group has been highlighting for over a decade, while cautioning that the actual extent of loss could be significantly higher than officially recorded.
The group noted that it is already pursuing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) titled Environmental Policy Group vs Union of India & others, under which multiple directions have been issued for the conservation of 1,230 wetlands identified by the Department of Environment, Ecology and Remote Sensing (DEERS). However, despite these interventions, the condition of wetlands, lakes, and other water bodies continues to deteriorate, raising concerns over flood risks and the broader impact of climate change.
Highlighting specific cases, Bakshi pointed to the degradation of Narrakara Nambal, alleging that it is being converted into a residential and commercial zone in violation of environmental norms and in defiance of a status quo order issued by the Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh High Court. He described the situation as a clear example of administrative inaction.
The EPG also drew attention to the declining health of major wetlands such as Haigham, Shallabugh, and Hokersar, noting that these ecologically sensitive areas are under severe stress due to neglect and mismanagement. It said the Mirgund wetland, once a thriving ecosystem, has largely turned into grassland in recent years due to poor maintenance, inadequate water inflow, and staff shortages.
The group underscored that Hokersar, Haigham, and Shallabugh are designated under the Ramsar Convention, an international treaty to which India is a signatory, mandating their protection and sustainable management. It questioned the shrinking size of these wetlands despite their recorded boundaries under Ramsar documentation and warned that failure to protect them could amount to violation of international commitments.
EPG further alleged that illegal encroachments, unregulated land-use changes, and activities such as soil extraction are contributing to the degradation of wetlands across both North and South Kashmir. It also cited reports of gunfire incidents in Hokersar wetland, claiming no action has been taken so far.
Citing Dal Lake as a prominent example, the group said unchecked construction, road building, and discharge of untreated sewage are accelerating the degradation of the iconic water body.
Calling the CAG report a “wake-up call,” EPG said the disappearance of a large number of wetlands cannot be ignored and requires accountability and a thorough, time-bound inquiry. It also questioned compliance with the Supreme Court’s December 2024 directive mandating ground-truthing and demarcation of wetlands, stating that no public information is available on progress made in this regard.
The group criticised what it termed an over-reliance on publicity campaigns instead of concrete conservation measures, stressing the need for stronger institutional mechanisms, increased manpower, and better coordination among departments.
Highlighting the scale of the crisis, EPG claimed that around 315 lakes—nearly 45 per cent of the total—have already disappeared, warning that such losses are leading to ecological imbalance, biodiversity decline, and increased vulnerability to climate change.
The Environmental Policy Group urged the government to take urgent and decisive steps to protect and restore wetlands across Jammu and Kashmir, warning that continued neglect could have long-term consequences for both the environment and communities dependent on these ecosystems.
