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refine content per sources and improved wording for clarity

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2023-09-19T13:29:39Z

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{{Short description|Fresh water lake in Jammu and Kashmir, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox body of water
| name = Wular Lake
| native_name =
| image = Wular Lake 1.jpg
| image_size =
| caption = Wular Lake and Baba Shukur Din Hill From [[Hathlangoo]] Social Forestry, Bandipora, J&K
| alt = View of Wular Lake and Baba Shukur Din Hill
| image_bathymetry =
| caption_bathymetry =
| pushpin_map = India Jammu and Kashmir
| pushpin_map_alt = Location of Wular lake within J&K, India
| location = [[Bandipora]], [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu & Kashmir]], India
| coords = {{coord|34|20|N|74|36|E|region:IN_type:waterbody|display=inline,title}}
| type = Freshwater [[Lake]]
| inflow = [[Jhelum River]]
| outflow = [[Jhelum River]]
| catchment =
| basin_countries = {{flag|India}}
| length = {{convert|16|km|abbr=on}}
| width = {{convert|9.6|km|abbr=on}}<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web |url=http://moef.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/NWIA_Jammu_and_Kashmir_Atlas.pdf |title=Slide 1 |access-date=2021-08-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210819091423/http://moef.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/NWIA_Jammu_and_Kashmir_Atlas.pdf |archive-date=19 August 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>
| area = {{convert|30|to|189|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}
| depth =
| max-depth = {{convert|14|m|abbr=on}}
| volume =
| residence_time =
| shore =
| elevation = {{convert|1580|m|abbr=on}}
| islands = Zainul Lank
| cities = [[Bandipora]]
| embedded = {{Infobox mapframe |wikidata=yes |coord={{WikidataCoord|display=i}}}}
}}
{{Designation list
| embed = no
| designation1 = Ramsar
| designation1_date = 23 March 1990
| designation1_number = 461<ref>{{Cite web|title=Wular Lake Social Studies grade 9|website=[[Ramsar Convention|Ramsar]] Sites Information Service|url=https://rsis.ramsar.org/ris/461|access-date=25 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180510050833/https://rsis.ramsar.org/ris/461|archive-date=10 May 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}

[[File:Wular Lake1.jpg|thumb|right|Wular Lake seen from Wular Vantage Park Garoora]]
[[File:Boats in Wullar Lake.jpg|thumb|right|Boats floating in the Wular Lake]]
[[File:Wullar - Extraction of Aquatic Plants.jpg|thumb|right|A boat carrying aquatic plants extracted from the Wular Lake]]
[[File:Wular Lake – geese & cows.jpg|thumb|Domesticated geese and cows on the bank of Wular Lake]]
'''Wular Lake''' ({{IPA-ur|ʋʊləɾ}}), also known as '''Wolar''' ({{IPA-ks|wɔlar}}) in [[Kashmiri language|Kashmiri]], is one of the largest [[fresh water]] lakes in [[South Asia]].<ref>{{cite web|url= https://phys.org/news/2016-11-majestic-kashmir-lake.html|title= Can mistake that ruined majestic Kashmir lake be fixed?|access-date= 29 August 2018}}</ref> It is located near [[Bandipore|Bandipora town]] in the [[Bandipora district]] of [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]], India.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://rsis.ramsar.org/RISapp/files/57361729/pictures/IN461map.pdf|title= Map of Wular Lake and Associated Wetlands|access-date= 29 August 2018}}</ref> The lake basin was formed as a result of [[tectonic]] activity and is fed by the [[Jhelum River]] and stream Madhumati and Arin.

The lake's size varies seasonally from 30 to 189 square kilometres. In addition, much of the lake has been drained as a result of willow plantations being built on the shore in the 1950s.

==Etymology==
In ancient times, Wular Lake was also called Mahapadmasar (Sanskrit: महापद्मसरः). Nilamata Purana also mentions it as ''Mahapadmasaras''. The lake, with its big dimensions and the extent of water, gives rise to high leaping waves in the afternoons, called Ullola in Sanskrit, meaning "stormy leaping, high rising waves". Therefore, it was also called ''Ullola''. It is believed to have gotten corrupted over the centuries to ''Wulor'' or ''Wular''.<ref name="ref56mozib">[https://books.google.com/books?id=a-RGAAAAYAAJ Ramsar Sites of India: Wular Lake, Jammu and Kashmir], World Wide Fund for Nature, India, 1994, ''... The name "Vulla" from which the present name Wular or Volar (Vulgo Woolar) seems to have been derived, is found in the Janarajas chronicle and can be interpreted as 'turbulent' or the lake with high-going waves' ...''</ref><ref name="ref30zaveb">[https://books.google.com/books?id=O39DAAAAYAAJ Imperial Gazetteer of India], Sir William Wilson Hunter, pp. 387, Clarendon Press, 1908, ''... Wular Lake - Lake in Kashmir State ... bad reputation among the boatmen of Kashmir, for when the winds come down the mountain gorges, the quiet surface of the lake changes into a sea of rolling waves ... corruption of ullola, Sanskrit for 'turbulent' ... The ancient name is Mahapadmasaras, derived from the Naga Mahapadma, who is located in the lake as its tutelary deity ...''</ref> The origin may also be attributed to a Kashmiri word 'Wul', which means a gap or a fissure, appellation that must have come also during this period. The word Wul (gap or fissure), is also an indicator of its origin to a fissure or gap created.{{Citation needed|date=August 2023}}

==Natural history==
The lake is one of the 75 Indian wetlands designated as a [[Ramsar site]]. However it faces environmental threats including the conversion of large parts of the lake's catchment areas into agriculture land, pollution from fertilizers and animal wastes, hunting of waterfowl and migratory birds, and weed infestation in the lake itself.<ref name=wwf_ramsar>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwfindia.org/about_wwf/what_we_do/freshwater_wetlands/our_work/ramsar_sites/wular_lake_.cfm |title=Wular Lake |publisher=[[World Wide Fund for Nature]] India |access-date=17 March 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090602011146/http://www.wwfindia.org/about_wwf/what_we_do/freshwater_wetlands/our_work/ramsar_sites/wular_lake_.cfm |archive-date=2 June 2009 }}</ref>

===Fish===
Wular Lake is an important fish habitat, the main species being the [[common carp]] (''Cyprinus carpio''), [[rosy barb]] (''Barbus conchonius''), [[mosquitofish]] (''Gambusia affinis''), ''[[Nemacheilus]]'' species, ''[[Crossocheilus latius]]'', and various snowtrout species in the genera ''[[Schizopyge]]'' and ''[[Schizothorax]]''. Snowtrout species identified in the lake include the [[Sattar snowtrout]] (''Schizopyge curvifrons''), [[Chirruh snowtrout]] (''Schizopyge esocinus''), ''[[Schizothorax planifrons]]'', ''[[Schizothorax macropogon]]'', ''[[Schizothorax longipinus]]'' and [[Chush snowtrout]] (''Schizopyge niger'').<ref name=wwf_ramsar/>

Fish from Wular Lake make up a significant part of the diet for many thousands of people living on its shores and elsewhere in the [[Kashmir Valley]]. More than eight thousand fishermen earn their livelihood from the lake, primarily fishing for the endemic ''Schizothorax'' species and the non-native carp. Their catch comprises about 60 percent of the total yield of fish in Kashmir. Hundreds of other local villagers are employed by cooperative societies that trade the fish catch. Many other families harvest plants such as the grass ''[[Phragmites]]'' and the waterlily-like ''[[Nymphoides]]'' from the lake for animal fodder.<ref name=wwf_ramsar/>

===Birds===
The lake sustains a rich population of birds. Terrestrial birds observed around the lake include the [[black-eared kite]], [[Eurasian sparrowhawk]], [[short-toed eagle]], Himalayan [[golden eagle]], [[Himalayan monal]], [[chukar partridge]], [[koklass pheasant]], [[rock dove]], [[common cuckoo]], [[alpine swift]], [[Indian roller]], [[Himalayan woodpecker]], [[hoopoe]], [[barn swallow]], [[golden oriole]] and others.<ref name=wwf_ramsar/>

==History==
The Kashmiri sultan [[Zain-ul-Abidin]] is reputed to have ordered the construction of the artificial island of Zaina Lank in the middle of the lake in 1444.<ref name=sameerbhat>{{cite web|url=http://sameerbhat.blogspot.com/2009/01/there-is-loch-ness-lake-in-scotland.html|title=How to kill a lake|access-date=17 March 2010|date=30 January 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304091115/http://sameerbhat.blogspot.com/2009/01/there-is-loch-ness-lake-in-scotland.html|archive-date=4 March 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>
According to the traditional beliefs in the vicinity of Wular Lake there once stood a city whose king was Raja Sudrasen. By the reason of the enormity of his crimes, the waters of the lake rose and drowned him and his subjects. It was said that during the winter months, at low water the ruins of the submerged idol temple might be seen rising from the lake. Zayn Ul Aabidin constructed a spacious barge which he sank in the lake and upon which he laid a foundation of bricks and stones till it rose high enough to be at level with the water. Upon this he erected a Mosque and other buildings and gave the islet the name of Lanka. The expense of this work was defrayed by the fortunate discovery of two idols of solid gold which had been brought up from the lake by divers.
<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jRxCAQAAMAAJ|title=Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal|year=1880|publisher=Asiatic Society of Bengal}}</ref>

==Tulbul Project==
The Tulbul Project is a "navigation lock-cum-control structure" at the mouth of Wular Lake.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://kashmirlife.net/wullar-barrage-an-unresolved-question-601/|title= Wullar Barrage: An Unresolved 'Question'|access-date= 29 August 2018|date= 2010-06-27}}</ref> According to the original Indian plan, the barrage was expected to be of {{convert|439|ft|m}} long and {{convert|40|ft|m}} wide, and would have a maximum storage capacity of {{convert|300000|acre.ft|e6m3|abbr=on}} of water.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/reviewing-tulbul-navigation-project-can-put-pakistan-on-backfoot-officials-116092601242_1.html|title= Reviewing Tulbul navigation project can put Pakistan on backfoot: Officials|access-date= 29 August 2018|newspaper= Business Standard India|date= 2016-09-26}}</ref> One aim was to regulate the release of water from the natural storage in the lake to maintain a minimum draught of {{convert|4.5|ft|m}} in the river up to [[Baramulla]] during the lean winter months. The project was conceived in the early 1980s and work began in 1984. The average annual inflows or outflows from the lake is nearly 7 billion cubic meters<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.compositerunoff.sr.unh.edu/html/Polygons/P2836100.html |title= Water flow data of Jhelum river at Baramulla |access-date= 29 August 2018}}</ref>

There has been an ongoing dispute between India and Pakistan over the Tulbul Project since 1987, when Pakistan objected that it violated the 1960 [[Indus Waters Treaty]] (IWT).<ref>{{cite web|url= http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/18090/12/12_chapter%206.pdf|title= The Tulbul Navigation Project Dispute and the Negotiation Process |access-date= 29 August 2018}}</ref> India stopped work on the project that year, but has since pressed to restart construction. The Jhelum River passing through the Kashmir valley below Wular Lake which is a connecting lake as per IWT, provides an important means of transport for goods and people. To sustain navigation throughout the year, a minimum depth of water is needed. India contends that the Tulbul Project is permissible per paragraphs 7 (c) and 9 of Annexure E, IWT while Pakistan maintains that the project is a violation of the treaty if the storage is above {{convert|10000|acre.ft|e6m3|lk=in}} for non-power generation purpose.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/tulbul-dispute-india-seeks-international-arbitration/articleshow/12444082.cms |title= Tulbul dispute: India seeks international arbitration |access-date= 29 August 2018|newspaper= The Economic Times |date= 2012-03-28 }}</ref> India says suspension of work is harming the interests of people of Jammu and Kashmir and also depriving irrigation and power benefits to the people of Pakistan that may accrue from regulated water releases.

The lake storage capacity can be increased per IWT to 300,000 acre feet or more up to 1580 m [[Sea level|MSL]] by considering it as a reservoir for a run of the river (RoR) hydro power plant by envisaging a low head (nearly 8 meters rated head) power plant.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.greaterkashmir.com/(X(1)S(j3wxfxef1nyqf545kfe132ap))/news/opinion/indus-water-treaty-v/314141.html |title=Can we actually stop the flow of water to Pakistan? |access-date=25 February 2019}}</ref> The available deepened river bed level at the toe of the dam can be below {{Convert|1570|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} MSL for 4,000 [[cusec]]s flow.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/70554/9/09_chapter5.pdf|title= Hydrology and Water Budget of Wular Lake (refer Figure 5.5)|access-date= 29 August 2018}}</ref> Simultaneously, the enlarged lake can also meet the downstream navigational requirements fully during the lean flow season. The regulated buffer / surcharge water storage in the Wular lake would substantially enhance the power generation from the downstream Lower Jhelum (105 MW), [[Uri Dam|Uri]] (720 MW), proposed 1124 MW [[Kohala Hydropower Project|Kohala]] (in [[Pakistan administered Kashmir|PaK]]), proposed 720 MW [[Azad Pattan Hydropower Project|Azad Pattan]] (in PaK), 590-MW Mahl hydropower project (in PaK) and proposed 720 MW [[Karot Hydropower Project|Karot]] (in PaK) RoR hydel projects though its own power plant's generation is marginal.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://india-wris.nrsc.gov.in/wrpinfo/index.php?title=Lower_Jhelum_Weir_W00457|title= Lower Jhelum Weir W00457|access-date= 29 August 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=GB: water conservation and preservation|url=https://dailytimes.com.pk/317594/gb-water-conservation-and-preservation/| access-date=2 November 2018|date=November 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=AJK likely to get Rs 12bn annually as net hydel power profit|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1454573| access-date=3 January 2019|date=2018-12-31}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Pakistan plans hydro projects on Jhelum River with Chinese help|url=http://www.cpecinfo.com/news/Pakistan-plans-hydro-projects-on-Jhelum-River-with-Chinese-help/NjUzMg==| access-date=15 January 2019}}</ref> Construction of a RoR power plant with sufficient sluice gates would also flush the sediment from the lake area to preserve the lake.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Climatic, geomorphic and anthropogenic drivers of the 2014 extreme flooding in the Jhelum basin of Kashmir, India |journal=Geomatics, Natural Hazards and Risk |volume=9 |pages=224–248 |doi=10.1080/19475705.2017.1417332 |year=2018 |last1=Romshoo |first1=Shakil A. |last2=Altaf |first2=Sadaff |last3=Rashid |first3=Irfan |last4=Dar |first4=Reyaz Ahmad |doi-access=free }}</ref>

The lean season water inflows into the Wular Lake are enhanced from the [[Neelum River|Kishanganga river]] by the [[Kishanganga Hydroelectric Plant]] after generating electricity.

Other lakes such as [[Manasbal Lake]], [[Anchar Lake]], [[Dal Lake]], etc. which are not located on Jhelum Main river can be used similar to Wular Lake to impound flood waters for flood protection in downstream areas, hydro electricity generation, navigation throughout the year, irrigation, municipal and industrial uses.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.greaterkashmir.com/(X(1)S(wzlt15eshocoqs45sp1quf45))/news/opinion/indus-water-treaty-part-iii/312950.html|title= Indus Water Treaty - Part III|access-date= 15 February 2019}}</ref>

==Recognition==
In recognition of its biological, hydrological and socio-economic values, the lake was included in 1986 as a Wetland of National Importance under the Wetlands Programme of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India for intensive conservation and management purposes. Subsequently, in 1990, it was designated as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ramsar.org/cda/en/ramsar-home/main/ramsar/1_4000_0__ |title=Ramsar Convention |access-date=30 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007162046/http://www.ramsar.org/cda/en/ramsar-home/main/ramsar/1_4000_0__ |archive-date=7 October 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="autogenerated1"/> Against the Ramsar Conventions, the lake area is being used for garbage dumping.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/municipal-waste-in-wullar-lake/ |title=Municipal Waste in Wullar Lake |date=19 February 2019 |access-date=21 February 2019}}</ref>

===Restoration===
Amongst other developments, two million trees will be cut to restore Wular Lake under the National Lake Conservation Programme.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/srinagar/20-lakh-trees-to-be-cut-to-restore-Wullar-lake/Article1-704918.aspx |title=20 lakh trees to be cut to restore Wullar lake |work=Hindustan Times|date=2011-06-02 |access-date=2012-08-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022003236/http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/srinagar/20-lakh-trees-to-be-cut-to-restore-Wullar-lake/Article1-704918.aspx |archive-date=22 October 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The Environment Ministry of India approved Rs 4 billion for the restoration project for the lake that will take 5 to 10 years and was after long delays scheduled to start in December 2011.<ref>{{cite web |author=GreaterKashmir.com (Greater Service) |url=http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/2011/Nov/20/wullar-lake-to-get-breather-26.asp |title=Wullar Lake to get breather Lastupdate:- Sun, 20 Nov 2011 18:30:00 GMT |publisher=Greaterkashmir.com |date=2011-11-20 |access-date=2012-08-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111121171635/http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/2011/Nov/20/wullar-lake-to-get-breather-26.asp |archive-date=21 November 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref>
The partner organisation South Asian Voluntary Association of Environmentalists (SAVE) is a joint initiative of individuals with the aim to protect the ecology and to conserve the nature at Wular Lake.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://orgs.tigweb.org/south-asian-voluntary-association-of-environmentalists--|title=South Asian Voluntary associat... - Organizations - TakingITGlobal|access-date=12 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161113043901/http://orgs.tigweb.org/south-asian-voluntary-association-of-environmentalists--|archive-date=13 November 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Tourism==
Boating, water sports and [[water skiing]] have been launched by the Government of India Tourism in collaboration with Kerala Tourism and J&K Tourism. The contract for the operation of the site was awarded in September 2011.<ref>{{cite news|first=Mohinder|last=Verma|title=Conservation of water bodies remains distant dream - Only Rs 90 lakh for Surinsar, Mansar lakes in 3 years|date=2011-01-09|url=https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/web1/11jan10/news.htm#4|newspaper=Daily Excelsior|access-date=2019-07-16}}</ref>{{citation needed|date=September 2017}}

== See also ==

* [[Anchar Lake]]
* [[Dal Lake]]
* [[Gangbal Lake]]
* [[Manasbal Lake]]
* [[Hathlangoo]]
* [[2014 India–Pakistan floods]]
* [[Khanpursar]]
*
*

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==

* Wetlands International, 2007. ''[http://www.jkwildlife.com/wild/pdf/pub/wurc_mgtplan_india_wular.pdf Comprehensive Management Action Plan for Wular Lake, Kashmir]''. jkwildlife.org.

{{Kashmir Valley}}
{{Hydrography of Jammu and Kashmir}}
{{Ramsar sites in India}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Ramsar sites in India]]
[[Category:Lakes of Jammu and Kashmir]]
[[Category:Bandipora district]]
[[Category:Islands of India]]
[[Category:Uninhabited islands of India]]

Wular Lake - Revision history

BlissKetoSupplement: refine content per sources and improved wording for clarity

Ajay Kumar: Created a new article