Four MLAs Visit Wular Lake As the Water Body Faces Existential Crisis
Despite Invitation, Bandipore Admin Didn’t Attend, Legislators seek explanation
Associated News Bureau
Four sitting legislators of ruling NC-Congress coalition government today visited the famous Wular Lake to take first hand stock of the deteriorating situation of the water body, which was once famous for fresh water and pristine beauty.
The MLAs had visited on the invitation of the local fishermen community (Fishermen Union) and other stakeholders.
The delegation included senior Congress leader and MLA Bandipora Nizamuddin Bhat, National Conference MLAs Hilal Akbar Lone (Sonawari) and Irshad Rasool Kar (Sopore), and MLA Kreeri Irfan Hafeez Lone.
Later, MLA Bandipora and MLA Sonawari took a boat ride from Laharwalpora to Zurimanz to witness the deteriorating condition of the lake.
Wular Lake, once spanning around 217 square kilometers as one of Asia’s largest freshwater lakes, has shrunk significantly due to encroachment, siltation, deforestation, and pollution.
Untreated sewage and agricultural runoff have further degraded the lake, encouraging weed growth that threatens its water quality and biodiversity. This decline has directly affected the local economy, especially in fishing and tourism.
While the Wular Conservation Project, led by the Wular Conservation and Management Authority (WUCMA), has been working to deslit and restore parts of the lake.
The WUCMA, with all its infrastructure and its funds including the sister organisation forest, irrigation and flood control, soil conservation departments apparently are not in a position to handle the crisis.
The MLAs emphasised the urgent need to conserve Wular Lake, underscoring the importance of coordinated efforts among all stakeholders, particularly the WUCMA.
They stressed that the responsibility should not rest solely with WUCMA; it requires a multi-stakeholder approach involving local communities, government agencies, non-governmental organisations, and environmental experts.
The legislators took a strong note against district administration, who didn’t attend the meeting despite invitation and have sought an explanation on the matter. (ANB)
