SRINAGAR: The Environmental Policy Group (EPG) has voiced serious concern over the rapid and continuing shrinkage and disappearance of water bodies across Jammu and Kashmir, terming it a grave ecological crisis that requires immediate and decisive intervention from policymakers and regulatory authorities.
Referring to the recent report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India, EPG Convenor Faiz Bakshi stated that the findings substantiate concerns the organisation has consistently raised over the past decade. He, however, cautioned that the actual extent of wetland loss could be significantly higher than what has been officially documented.
The organisation is currently engaged in a Public Interest Litigation titled Environmental Policy Group vs Union of India and Others, in which courts have issued a series of directions regarding the conservation of 1,230 wetlands identified by the Department of Environment, Ecology and Remote Sensing (DEERS). Despite these interventions, EPG said the condition of wetlands, lakes, and water bodies continues to deteriorate, with serious environmental implications, particularly in the context of floods and climate change, which has already altered weather patterns in the region.
Highlighting specific cases, Bakshi pointed to the ongoing degradation of Narrakara Nambal, alleging that the wetland is being converted into a residential and commercial colony in violation of environmental norms and in defiance of a status quo order issued by the Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh High Court. The organisation termed the development a glaring example of administrative inaction and institutional failure.
The group also raised concerns over the deteriorating condition of major wetlands, including Haigham and Shallabugh, stating that these ecologically significant habitats are under severe stress due to neglect and mismanagement. It noted that the Mirgund wetland, which was a thriving ecosystem until three to four years ago, has largely transformed into grassland due to inadequate maintenance, failure to ensure water intake, and acute staff shortages.
EPG warned that the non-maintenance and mismanagement of wetlands and water bodies have rendered tens of thousands of people dependent on these ecosystems without sustainable sources of income, thereby aggravating unemployment.
Significantly, the wetlands of Hokersar, Haigham, and Shallabugh are designated under the Ramsar Convention, an international treaty to which India is a signatory. The treaty mandates the conservation and wise use of notified wetlands, and any failure in this regard could amount to a violation of international commitments.
The organisation questioned how these wetlands have shrunk in size in recent years despite their areas being officially recorded under Ramsar documentation. It also raised concerns about whether the relevant departments and officials are adequately sensitised to these obligations. EPG alleged that wetlands are increasingly being reduced to sites of encroachment and illegal soil extraction activities under the guise of management.
Citing recent incidents, the group said videos have surfaced showing gunfire in broad daylight at Hokersar wetland, adding that no action has been reported in response.
EPG further stated that numerous wetlands and water bodies across both north and south Kashmir have been subjected to human-induced pressures, with significant portions converted into paddy fields, orchards, and commercial spaces. This conversion, it said, has resulted in a substantial loss of wetland area, directly impacting biodiversity and ecological balance.
Citing Dal Lake as a prominent example, the group alleged that unauthorised construction, bridge building, the laying of pucca roads, and the discharge of untreated sewage continue unchecked, contributing to the steady degradation of the lake ecosystem.
Describing the CAG report as a “wake-up call” for authorities, EPG said the disappearance of a large number of wetlands and lakes in Jammu and Kashmir is too serious an issue to be addressed merely through official statements. It called for a time-bound inquiry and accountability, stating that the findings reveal a widening gap between policy commitments and on-ground implementation.
The organisation also questioned compliance with the Supreme Court’s December 2024 directive, which mandated all states and Union Territories to undertake ground-truthing of wetlands and water bodies. “There is no publicly available information indicating whether demarcation has been completed, encroachments removed, or comprehensive reports prepared,” the group said.
EPG expressed concern over what it described as an over-reliance on expensive publicity campaigns instead of concrete conservation measures. It stressed that showcasing videos of migratory birds, often from previous years, cannot substitute for real, sustained conservation efforts on the ground.
Highlighting the scale of the crisis, the group stated that 315 lakes, nearly 45 per cent of the total, have completely disappeared, including those under the jurisdiction of the Forest, Revenue, and Agriculture departments. It warned that such large-scale loss is leading to ecological degradation, disruption of hydrological cycles, decline in biodiversity, and increased vulnerability to climate change.
The organisation underscored the need for stronger institutional accountability, enhanced manpower for monitoring and protection, and improved interdepartmental coordination to address the crisis effectively.
EPG has urged the government to implement immediate and time-bound measures to protect and restore wetlands and water bodies across Jammu and Kashmir. It warned that without prompt intervention, the region risks losing a vital component of its environmental heritage, with long-term consequences for both ecosystems and communities dependent on them.
