4 MLAs visit Wular Lake to highlight urgent call for action

Bandipora, Nov 10: In such a maiden appearance, four MLAs, alongside local stakeholders and the fishermen community, visited Wular Lake on the invitation of the fishermen union dedicated to the lake's preservation and conservation.

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, reports a local news agency, said a press release.

Held on the banks of Wular Lake in Zurimanz village, the gathering saw extensive participation from union members and fishermen from nearby villages.

MLA Bandipora and MLA Sonawari also took a symbolic boat ride from Laharwalpora to Zurimanz to witness firsthand the lake's deteriorating condition, an alarming issue that has impacted both ecology and livelihoods. 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, the press release added.

The press release said while the Wular Conservation Project, led by the Wular Conservation and Management Authority (WUCMA), has been working to desilt and restore parts of the lake, progress has been slow. Conservationists argue that greater involvement from all stakeholders is essential, including local communities, government agencies, and environmental experts.

“However, WUCMA, with all its infrastructure and its funds including the sister organisation forest, irrigation and flood control, soil conservation departments etc., apparently look toothless to match the crisis. The MLAs emphasised the urgent need to conserve Wular Lake, underscoring the importance of coordinated efforts among all stakeholders, particularly the WUCMA< “the press release said.

They stressed that the responsibility should not rest solely with WUCMA; rather, it requires a multi-stakeholder approach involving local communities, government agencies, non-governmental organisations, and environmental experts. They also took a strong note against district administration, stating that despite invitation they did not attend the event, which needs an explanation.

The legislators said that their absence was at the peril of huge public interest and a community, who see these department as their guardians. There were voices of strong protest from the public also over the absence of departments concerned, particularly head of the district.

“Many community members expressed frustration, emphasising that their presence was crucial. Locals demanded an explanation, stressing that only with active, direct involvement from district authorities and relevant agencies could coordinated and effective action plans be developed to restore Wular Lake and protect the livelihoods dependent on it,” the press release said.