Khurwan Sar Lake in Sumbal battles for survival

Sumbal, Oct 27: Life around Khurwan Sar was vibrant when the lake was at its prime; people relied on its bounty for their livelihoods. However, decades later, both the lake and the communities surrounding it are struggling for survival.

Villagers, who lead modest lives, recall how the lake used to produce fish and lotus stems in abundance, which helped them feed their cattle. Now, they watch in despair as the lake slowly dies under a mountain of garbage, sewage, and other pollutants.

"There was always a festive atmosphere when the season for lotus stem cultivation arrived, but now its condition breaks our hearts," said villager Mohammad Subhan.

Khurwan Lake, one of the five satellite wetlands in Sumbal, Bandipora district, is surrounded by seven small villages, home to over five thousand people in areas like Bat Mohalla, Arampora, Gunzripora, Manzmohalla, Bon Mohalla, New Colony Sumbal, and Inderkoot itself. Spanning around 500-700 kanals (approximately two and a half kilometers), the lake once benefited at least three thousand locals.

The festivities around lotus cultivation, also known as nadroo, have long fallen silent, as this delicacy has entirely vanished from the lake.

"It has been at least 12 years since the crop disappeared," said Akhter Hussain, an environmental activist and independent researcher in environmental science from Inderkoot, who has closely monitored the lake. He added that although fish are still present, their numbers have drastically declined.

Akhter cites various reasons for the lake's deteriorating condition, such as unregulated construction and encroachment, but the main culprit is the "destructive" action taken by the Sumbal Municipal Community in 2010. Despite opposition, it launched a sewerage outlet directly into the lake, which is also recognised in Asian waterbird census and serves as a flyway for migratory birds.

The pipes discharge all kinds of sewage, including domestic and fecal waste from Sumbal Market and surrounding areas, turning the lake into "a dumping site," Akhter, who also runs the “Save Khursan War Lake” initiative, stated.

"The government's action at the time has caused the lake to struggle for survival, with conditions deteriorating completely in 2017," he added.

Despite still showing signs of life, successive regimes have "ignored the dying lake," according to locals, who stress its tremendous importance due to its biodiversity, bird diversity, and potential for tourism.

Once known for the fish it produced, Akhter noted that the fisheries department in Bandipora would hold auctions from 2015 to 2017, but "never bothered to take steps for its conservation." He added, "Even recently, a five-kilogram fish was caught from the lake by locals."

"Additionally, the lake's vegetation served as a vital source of fodder for domestic animals. A prominent duck farm in Sumbal relied on the lake to feed its birds. However, this is no longer possible, as the lake has lost its regeneration capacity," Akhter explained.

Akhter noted that the lake once housed thousands of domestic and numerous species of migratory birds—a site bird lovers yearn for—but now, "only foul smells emanate from the lake, affecting many people."

The massive siltation load, coupled with demolition waste, has reduced the lake's depth from 15 to 18 feet to just four to five feet, rendering it unsuitable for recreational purposes, he added.

The activist also expressed concern that the lake's deteriorating condition is contributing to diseases, as polluted water is used for irrigation.

Moreover, he said hundreds of students from nearby primary and secondary schools study in an environment filled with foul odours.

"According to reports from doctors at the community health center, people may be forced to migrate if conditions in the lake do not improve," Akhter warned.

To save the lake from extinction, an assessment conducted in 2018 to include the lake in the Manasbal Development Authority (MDA) did not materialise. Now, locals have pinned their hopes on the new administration to help restore the lake to its original glory.

Akhter believes there are ways to bring "new life" into the lake through the use of natural resources and minimal human intervention, as well as addressing encroachment and demarcating the lake area, provided the government is willing to take the issue seriously.