In 100 yrs, Kashmir’s water bodies register 50% loss

Eco-degradation

In 1911, the spatial extent of water bodies was 356.85 sq km, including 271.70 sq km of marshy wetlands and 85.15 sq km of water bodies.

By 2011, the lakes and wetlands area had reduced to 158.54 sq km, which included about 117 sq km of marshy wetlands and 41 sq km of water bodies.

Some wetlands such as Batmalun Nambal, Rakh-e-Gandakshah and Rakh-e-Arth have been completely lost, while some lakes like Gilsar and Khushalsar have been ecologically degraded.

Wetlands in Valley have lost their water absorption capacity due to excessive silt deposits and encroachments

In alarming new details, Kashmir’s lakes and wetlands have lost more than 50 per cent of their space in 100 years since 1911. They now cover just 158.54 sq km, losing 198.31 sq km of spatial extent.

An assessment report compiled by the state government’s department of ecology, environment and remote sensing has revealed that the spatial extent of water bodies in Kashmir has got significantly reduced and registered a loss of more than 50 per cent in 100 years between 1911 and 2011.

In 1911, the total extent of water bodies was 356.85 sq km, which included 271.70 sq km of marshy wetlands and 85.15 sq km of water bodies. By 2011, there was about 117 sq km of marshy wetlands and about 41 sq km of water bodies.

Some wetlands such as Batmalun Nambal, Rakh-e-Gandakshah and Rakh-e-Arth have been completely lost, while some lakes like Gilsar and Khushalsar have been “ecologically degraded”. The report notes that the wetlands in the Kashmir valley “have lost their water absorption capacity” due to excessive silt deposits and encroachments.

The report warns that the loss of water bodies is bearing an impact on the local micro-climate with the mean temperature in summer rising to 39.5 degrees Celsius in 2006, compared to 35.5 degrees Celsius in 1973.

In Srinagar district, the report reveals, the built-up area has increased from 18.10 sq km in 1976 to 84.50 sq km in 2001. This has impacted agricultural land use, which has reduced by 11.65 per cent. Plantation has reduced by 8.35 per cent, wetlands and marshes by 3.77 per cent and horticulture by 3.01 percent.