SRINAGAR: Water quality monitoring across Kashmir has revealed that a majority of wetlands in several districts do not meet ‘Class B’ primary water quality criteria, with only 2 out of 28 monitored wetlands in Bandipora conforming to standards, the government informed the Legislative Assembly.
Replying to a question moved by Mubarik Gul, the Forest, Ecology and Environment Department said that during 2025-26, a total of 2,069 water samples were collected between April and December across the Kashmir Division. The samples were analysed for key physico-chemical and biological parameters including Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), pH, Faecal Coliform and Total Coliform.
As per Annexure-A placed before the House, the water quality of major rivers showed mixed results. In the Jhelum River, 11 out of 14 monitoring locations met ‘Class B’ criteria for pH, DO and BOD, while 13 locations failed in respect of Faecal Coliform. All nine monitored locations of the Lidder River and all seven locations on the Sindh River met ‘Class B’ standards.
However, water bodies within Srinagar and other districts reflected greater stress. In Dal Lake, none of the 21 monitored locations conformed to ‘Class B’ criteria in respect of BOD, though 19 met the criteria for Faecal Coliform. Nigeen Lake also failed to meet BOD standards at all three monitoring locations.
Among wetlands, the situation varied district-wise. In Bandipora, out of 28 wetlands monitored, only two met ‘Class B’ norms, while 26 did not. In Kupwara, four out of 23 wetlands conformed to standards. In Ganderbal, five out of 14 met the criteria. Pulwama recorded no non-conforming wetlands among six monitored, while in Srinagar, none of the five wetlands met ‘Class B’ standards.
On Wular Lake, 11 out of 13 monitoring locations met ‘Class B’ criteria, though three locations did not conform in respect of BOD. The government said total encroachment within the demarcated 130 sq km area under the Wular Conservation and Management Authority (WUCMA) stands at about 0.19 sq km, with no fresh major encroachments reported in the last four to five years. A proposal for installation of a Sewage Treatment Plant at Bandipora has been taken up to check inflow of untreated sewage into the lake.
Responding to concerns about environmental degradation due to unplanned urbanisation, deforestation, river and wetland encroachments and improper waste management, the government said forest cover in JK has increased by 73.63 sq km as per the India State of Forest Report 2023 compared to 2021.
On air quality, the House was informed that the average annual Air Quality Index (AQI) in Srinagar improved from 102.61 in 2024 (moderate category) to 94.75 in 2025 (satisfactory category). Gulmarg recorded an AQI of 54.75, Pahalgam 64 and Sonamarg 61.83.
The JK Pollution Control Committee (JKPCC) is monitoring ambient air quality at 25 stations across Kashmir and has installed a Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Station at Rajbagh, Srinagar, besides stations in Khrew, Lassipora, Khonmoh and Lasjan. A moratorium remains in force on establishment of new cement plants, stone crushers, brick kilns, mining and hot mix plants in identified polluted areas until AQI falls below 100 or the Comprehensive Environmental Pollution Index drops below 60.
Since 2024, closure orders have been issued to 213 brick kilns for non-compliance with mandatory zig-zag technology norms. An order issued in October 2024 requires installation of emission control devices in diesel generator sets of 5 KW to 800 KW capacity to ensure at least 70 percent reduction in particulate matter.
On solid waste management, the government said District Environment Plans have been prepared in compliance with National Green Tribunal directions in OA No. 606/2018. These plans cover municipal solid waste, e-waste, sewage, air and water pollution and are monitored periodically. Environmental compensation has been levied in cases of persistent violations.
Afforestation efforts have covered 10,533 hectares in Kashmir between 2020-21 and 2024-25 under CAMPA, CAPEX and centrally sponsored schemes, with 169.62 lakh plants raised and planted.
The department is also preparing a GIS-based, revenue record-corrected inventory of wetlands across the Union Territory to ensure accurate spatial delineation, identification of encroachments and creation of a comprehensive conservation database.
The revised State Action Plan on Climate Change, currently in draft stage, includes sectoral vulnerability assessment of districts and proposes adaptation and mitigation strategies mapped to existing schemes.
The government said monitoring mechanisms include GPS and GIS-based tracking of land use changes, regular patrols, monthly water quality monitoring in collaboration with JKPCC, regulation of development proposals through the Parivesh portal and enforcement under the Water Act 1974, Air Act 1981 and Environment Protection Act 1986.
The reply was tabled in the House by the Minister in-charge, Forest, Ecology and Environment Department.
