Srinagar, April 6: A recent report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has unveiled a shocking revelation regarding Jammu and Kashmir. The report indicates that 518 lakes have either completely vanished or are in such poor condition that they cannot be saved.
The CAG report highlights a severe environmental crisis in Jammu and Kashmir, with 518 out of 697 surveyed lakes either missing or deteriorated. An analysis of data from 1967 to 2020 revealed that extensive encroachment, urban expansion, and changes in land use have led to the complete disappearance of 315 lakes.
The report draws attention to an emerging ecological crisis in the union territory, which could worsen if immediate action is not taken. It specifically identifies seven water bodies that have dried up, including Rakh-e-Arth, Sethargund Numbal, Marhama, Devpursar, Mahtan, Chandergar Numbal, and Galwal Talab, which have become ‘invisible’ after drying up.
This decline is largely man-made, resulting from the conversion of wetlands into agricultural, residential, or commercial land. The report also highlights the failure of conservation programs for major water bodies like Dal and Wular, citing untreated sewage and the incompetence of designated authorities as major issues.
Of the 315 lakes that have disappeared, 235 were under the oversight of the revenue and agriculture departments, while 80 were managed by the forest department. Only six major lakes (Dal, Wular, Hokersar, Mansbal, Surinsar, and Mansar) received attention, leaving the remaining 691 lakes without any proper management plan.
The CAG report recommends the establishment of a special, integrated authority to prevent further loss and ensure the restoration of these vital water bodies.
In a related development, a recent scientific study has indicated that five high-altitude glaciers in the Kashmir Himalayas are highly susceptible to glacial burst floods, which can be triggered by extreme weather events such as cloudbursts.
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