Wular Lake: Difference between revisions

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| name              = Wular Lake
| name              = Wular Lake
| native_name        =  
| native_name        =  
| image              = Wular Lake 1.jpg
| image              = Boats in Wullar Lake.jpg
| image_size        =  
| image_size        =  
| caption            = Wular Lake and Baba Shukur Din Hill From [[Hathlangoo]] Social Forestry, Bandipora, J&K
| caption            = Boats floating in Wular Lake
| alt                = View of Wular Lake and Baba Shukur Din Hill
| alt                = Boats floating in Wular Lake
| image_bathymetry  =  
| image_bathymetry  =  
| caption_bathymetry =  
| caption_bathymetry =  
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| pushpin_map_alt    = Location of Wular lake within J&K, India
| pushpin_map_alt    = Location of Wular lake within J&K, India
| location          = [[Bandipora]], [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu & Kashmir]], 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}}
| coords            = {{Coord|34|22|10.4|N|74|33|33.34|E|display=inline,title}}
| type              = Freshwater [[Lake]]
| type              = Freshwater [[Lake]]
| inflow            = [[Jhelum River]]
| inflow            = [[Jhelum River]]
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| islands            = Zainul Lank
| islands            = Zainul Lank
| cities            = [[Bandipora]]
| cities            = [[Bandipora]]
| embedded          = {{Infobox mapframe |wikidata=yes |coord={{WikidataCoord|display=i}}}}
| mapframe = yes
}}
}}
{{Designation list
{{Designation list
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[[File:Wular Lake1.jpg|thumb|right|Wular Lake seen from Wular Vantage Park Garoora]]
[[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: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]]
[[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.
'''Wular Lake''' ({{IPA|ur|ʋʊlər}}), also known as '''Wolar''' ({{IPA|ks|ʋɔlar}}) in [[Kashmiri language|Kashmiri]], is one of the largest [[fresh water|freshwater]] lakes in the [[Indian subcontinent]].<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 the streams 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.
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==
==Background==
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==
===Etymology===
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>
 
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 language|Kashmiri]] word 'Wul', which means a gap or a [[fissure]], an appellation that must have come also during this period. The word Wul (gap or fissure) is also an indicator of its origin from a fissure or gap created.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wular Lake - about Wular Lake in Srinagar |url=https://tourism.webindia123.com/tourism/lakes_gardens/Wular_Lake/index.htm?utm_source=chatgpt.com |access-date=2025-05-16 |website=tourism.webindia123.com}}</ref>{{AI-retrieved source|date=March 2026|checked=no}}
 
===History===
 
The Kashmiri sultan [[Zayn al-Abidin the Great|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 as 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>
 
==Ecology ==


===Fish===
===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/>
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/>
 
===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/>
 
==Economy==
 
===Aquatic greens ===
 
Many other families harvest the [[aquatic plant]]s, such as the grass ''[[Phragmites]]'' and the waterlily-like ''[[Nymphoides]]'', from the lake for human consumption and animal fodder.<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/>
===Fishing===


===Birds===
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..<ref name=wwf_ramsar/>
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/>
 
===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>
 
== Issues ==


==History==
=== Environmental threats ===
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 lake is one of the 80 Indian [[wetland]]s designated as a [[Ramsar site]]. However, it faces environmental threats including the conversion of large parts of the lake's catchment areas into agricultural 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>
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.
=== Lake degradation ===


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 shores of Wular Lake, one of the biggest freshwater lakes in South Asia, are now filled with trash.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Nagrika |date=2024-02-03 |title=From Definition to Conservation: A Study of Urban Wetlands of India |url=https://zenodo.org/doi/10.5281/zenodo.10613126 |journal=Zenodo |pages=40 |doi=10.5281/ZENODO.10613126}}</ref> Waste has piled up along the lake's edges and in the water, endangering the lake's fish and plants. Parts of the lake have become shallow, and areas that used to be wide open water are now covered in mud and garbage. This buildup of waste and mud has made the lake smaller and shallower.<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 February 2023 |title=Cow Dung, Waste Dumped on Embankments of Wular Lake |url=https://www.kashmirnewsobserver.com/top-stories/cow-dung-waste-dumped-on-embankments-of-wular-lake-kno-175645 |access-date=6 May 2023 |website=Kashmir News Observer}}</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.
== Conservation ==


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===


==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 Convention, 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>
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===
===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==
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>
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}}
The partner organisation, South Asian Voluntary Association of Environmentalists (SAVE), is a joint initiative of individuals to protect the ecology and to conserve 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>
 
===Tulbul Lock Project===
{{anchor | Tulbul }}
 
The '''Tulbul Lock Project''' ('''Tulbul Barrage'''), is an under-construction "[[Lock (water navigation)|river navigation lock]]-cum-[[control lock|water level control lock]] 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> the barrage structure of which is designed to be {{convert|439|ft|m}} long and {{convert|40|ft|m}} wide with 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> The project aims 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.<ref name=tulb1/> 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 the Jhelum Main river, can be used similarly 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>
 
====History====
 
=====1980: Conception=====
 
The project was conceived in the early 1980s, and work began in 1984. The average annual inflows or outflows from the lake are nearly 7 billion cubic meters.<ref name=tulb1>{{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>
 
=====1987-2025: Work stopped due to IWT dispute=====
 
There was an ongoing dispute between India and Pakistan over the Tulbul Project between 1987 and 2025 (when India put the IWT in abeyance). In 1987, when Pakistan objected to the Tulbul construction project by stating that it violated the 1960 [[Indus Waters Treaty]] (IWT),<ref name=jtuljun1/><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 the construction work on the project that year, but has since attempted 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 purposes.<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 hold the position that the suspension of work harmed the interests of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and also deprived irrigation and power benefits to the people of Pakistan that may accrue from regulated water releases.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.natstrat.org/articledetail/publications/revitalising-the-tulbul-navigation-project-for-kashmir-s-development-200.html |title=Revitalising the Tulbul Navigation Project for Jammu and Kashmir’s Development|access-date=13 June 2025|date=26 May 2025 }}</ref> In 2025, India put the IWT in abayance under which Pakistan was blocking the construction of Wular Barrage, thus paving the way for India to revive the Wular Barrage construction project.<ref name=jtuljun1/>
 
=====2025: Project revived=====
 
In 2025, India suspended the IWT, and decided to expedite the work on the Tulbul project, construction of new [[Indira_Gandhi_Canal#CRBS|CRBS]] (200 km long Chenab-Ravi-Beas-Sutlej Link Canal with 12 tunnels to link the [[Chenab River|Chenab]], [[Ravi River|Ravi]], [[Beas River|Beas]], and [[Sutlej River|Sutlej]] rivers to bring their water to the [[Indira Gandhi Canal]] at [[Harike_Wetland|Harike Barrage]]), work on increasing the capacity of major dams in Indus basin (such as [[Uri Dam|Uri]], [[Dul Hasti Hydroelectric Plant|Dulhasti]], [[Salal Dam|Salal]], [[Baglihar Dam|Baglihar]], [[Nimoo Bazgo Hydroelectric Plant|Nimu Bajgo]], and [[Chutak Hydroelectric Plant|Chutak]]) and the work on new major dams ([[Kishanganga Hydroelectric Project|Kishanganga]], [[Ratle Hydroelectric Plant|Ratle]], and [[Pakal Dul Dam|Pakal Dul]].<ref name=CRBSL>[https://www.msn.com/hi-in/autos/news/%E0%A4%AD-%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A4-%E0%A4%95-%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%88-%E0%A4%9C%E0%A4%B2-%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%A8-%E0%A4%A4-%E0%A4%AC%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%B2-%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%97-%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%97-%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4-%E0%A4%A8-%E0%A4%95-%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5-%E0%A4%B0-%E0%A4%9C-%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%82-%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF-%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%B2-%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B9-%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B2-%E0%A4%A8-%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%97/ar-AA1GltFU?ocid=msedgntp&pc=U531&cvid=52c388a0d8a84bbff35fbff381051916&ei=26 भारत की नई जल रणनीति बदल देगी रेगिस्तान की तस्वीर, जानें क्या चल रही प्लानिंग], MSN, 9 June 2025.</ref>
 
====Details====
 
The lake storage capacity will 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 will be below {{Convert|1570|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} MSL for a 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>
 
====Benefits====
 
The project offers several benefits.
 
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 |issue=1 |doi-access=free |bibcode=2018GNHR....9..224R }}</ref>
 
The enlarged lake will also meet the downstream navigational requirements fully during the lean flow season.<ref name=tulbu1/><ref name=tulbu2/><ref name=tulbu3/>
 
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 PaKistan) RoR hydel projects, though its own power plant's generation is marginal.<ref name=tulbu1>{{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|archive-date= 9 March 2016|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160309064421/http://india-wris.nrsc.gov.in/wrpinfo/index.php?title=Lower_Jhelum_Weir_W00457|url-status= dead}}</ref><ref name=tulbu2>{{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 name=tulbu3>{{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 name=tulbu4>{{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|archive-date=17 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190117110343/http://www.cpecinfo.com/news/pakistan-plans-hydro-projects-on-jhelum-river-with-chinese-help/NjUzMg==|url-status=dead}}</ref>
 
====Current status====
 
* 2025 Jun: In the context of India putting the IWT in abeyance, the revised DPR was being prepared by India for the construction of the Tulbul barrage.<ref name=jtuljun1>[https://www.msn.com/hi-in/news/other/%E0%A4%9C%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%82-%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE-%E0%A4%B0-%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%82-%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%B0-%E0%A4%9D-%E0%A4%B2-%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%B0-%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%95-%E0%A4%B0-%E0%A4%AB-%E0%A4%B0-%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%87-%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%82-%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%97-%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B2-%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%B0-%E0%A4%AF-%E0%A4%9C%E0%A4%A8-%E0%A4%AA-%E0%A4%95-%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4-%E0%A4%A8-%E0%A4%95-%E0%A4%AC%E0%A4%A2%E0%A4%BC%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%97-%E0%A4%9F%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%A8/ar-AA1GDf7h?ocid=msedgntp&pc=U531&cvid=f61fb70d0a594d45aea8471255e988c0&ei=40 जम्मू-कश्मीर में वुलर झील पर सरकार फिर से शुरू करेगी तुलबुल परियोजना, पाकिस्तान की बढ़ेगी टेंशन!], MSN, 14 June 2025.</ref>


== See also ==
== See also ==
{{Portal|Lakes|Islands}}
* General
** [[Jhelum_River#Dams|Dams on Jhelum river]]
** [[Hathlangoo]], village nearby
** [[2014 India–Pakistan floods]]


* [[Anchar Lake]]
* Other lakes in J&K
* [[Dal Lake]]
** [[Anchar Lake]]
* [[Gangbal Lake]]
** [[Dal Lake]]
* [[Manasbal Lake]]
** [[Gangbal Lake]]
* [[Hathlangoo]]
** [[Khanpursar]]
* [[2014 India–Pakistan floods]]
** [[Manasbal Lake]]
* [[Khanpursar]]
*
*


== References ==
== References ==
Line 103: Line 159:


==Further reading==
==Further reading==
 
{{Commons category}}
* 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.
* 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.


Latest revision as of 02:15, 12 March 2026


Wular Lake
Boats floating in Wular Lake
Boats floating in Wular Lake
LocationBandipora, Jammu & Kashmir, India
Coordinates34°22′10.4″N 74°33′33.34″E / 34.369556°N 74.5592611°E / 34.369556; 74.5592611
TypeFreshwater Lake
Primary inflowsJhelum River
Primary outflowsJhelum River
Basin countries India
Max. length16 km (9.9 mi)
Max. width9.6 km (6.0 mi)[1]
Surface area30 to 189 km2 (12 to 73 sq mi)
Max. depth14 m (46 ft)
Surface elevation1,580 m (5,180 ft)
IslandsZainul Lank
SettlementsBandipora
Designations
Template:Infobox designation list/entry
Wular Lake seen from Wular Vantage Park, Garoora.
A boat carrying aquatic plants extracted from the Wular Lake
Domesticated geese and cows on the bank of Wular Lake

Wular Lake (ur), also known as Wolar (ks) in Kashmiri, is one of the largest freshwater lakes in the Indian subcontinent.[2] It is located near Bandipora town in the Bandipora district of Jammu and Kashmir, India.[3] The lake basin was formed as a result of tectonic activity and is fed by the Jhelum River and the streams 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.

Background[edit | edit source]

Etymology[edit | edit source]

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.[4][5] The origin may also be attributed to a Kashmiri word 'Wul', which means a gap or a fissure, an appellation that must have come also during this period. The word Wul (gap or fissure) is also an indicator of its origin from a fissure or gap created.[6]Template:AI-retrieved source

History[edit | edit source]

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.[7]

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 as 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.[8]

Ecology[edit | edit source]

Fish[edit | edit source]

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).[9]

Birds[edit | edit source]

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.[9]

Economy[edit | edit source]

Aquatic greens[edit | edit source]

Many other families harvest the aquatic plants, such as the grass Phragmites and the waterlily-like Nymphoides, from the lake for human consumption and animal fodder.[9]

Fishing[edit | edit source]

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..[9]

Tourism[edit | edit source]

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.[10]

Issues[edit | edit source]

Environmental threats[edit | edit source]

The lake is one of the 80 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 agricultural land, pollution from fertilizers and animal wastes, hunting of waterfowl and migratory birds, and weed infestation in the lake itself.[9]

Lake degradation[edit | edit source]

The shores of Wular Lake, one of the biggest freshwater lakes in South Asia, are now filled with trash.[11] Waste has piled up along the lake's edges and in the water, endangering the lake's fish and plants. Parts of the lake have become shallow, and areas that used to be wide open water are now covered in mud and garbage. This buildup of waste and mud has made the lake smaller and shallower.[12]

Conservation[edit | edit source]

Recognition[edit | edit source]

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.[13][1] Against the Ramsar Convention, the lake area is being used for garbage dumping.[14]

Restoration[edit | edit source]

Amongst other developments, two million trees will be cut to restore Wular Lake under the National Lake Conservation Programme.[15] 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.[16] The partner organisation, South Asian Voluntary Association of Environmentalists (SAVE), is a joint initiative of individuals to protect the ecology and to conserve nature at Wular Lake.[17]

Tulbul Lock Project[edit | edit source]

The Tulbul Lock Project (Tulbul Barrage), is an under-construction "river navigation lock-cum-water level control lock structure" at the mouth of Wular Lake[18] the barrage structure of which is designed to be 439 feet (134 m) long and 40 feet (12 m) wide with maximum storage capacity of 300,000 acre⋅ft (370×10^6 m3) of water.[19] The project aims to regulate the release of water from the natural storage in the lake to maintain a minimum draught of 4.5 feet (1.4 m) in the river up to Baramulla during the lean winter months.[20] The lean season water inflows into the Wular Lake are enhanced from the 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 the Jhelum Main river, can be used similarly 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.[21]

History[edit | edit source]

1980: Conception[edit | edit source]

The project was conceived in the early 1980s, and work began in 1984. The average annual inflows or outflows from the lake are nearly 7 billion cubic meters.[20]

1987-2025: Work stopped due to IWT dispute[edit | edit source]

There was an ongoing dispute between India and Pakistan over the Tulbul Project between 1987 and 2025 (when India put the IWT in abeyance). In 1987, when Pakistan objected to the Tulbul construction project by stating that it violated the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT),[22][23] India stopped the construction work on the project that year, but has since attempted 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 10,000 acre feet (12×10^6 m3) for non-power generation purposes.[24] India hold the position that the suspension of work harmed the interests of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and also deprived irrigation and power benefits to the people of Pakistan that may accrue from regulated water releases.[25] In 2025, India put the IWT in abayance under which Pakistan was blocking the construction of Wular Barrage, thus paving the way for India to revive the Wular Barrage construction project.[22]

2025: Project revived[edit | edit source]

In 2025, India suspended the IWT, and decided to expedite the work on the Tulbul project, construction of new CRBS (200 km long Chenab-Ravi-Beas-Sutlej Link Canal with 12 tunnels to link the Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej rivers to bring their water to the Indira Gandhi Canal at Harike Barrage), work on increasing the capacity of major dams in Indus basin (such as Uri, Dulhasti, Salal, Baglihar, Nimu Bajgo, and Chutak) and the work on new major dams (Kishanganga, Ratle, and Pakal Dul.[26]

Details[edit | edit source]

The lake storage capacity will be increased per IWT to 300,000 acre feet or more, up to 1580 m 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.[27] The available deepened river bed level at the toe of the dam will be below 1,570 m (5,151 ft) MSL for a 4,000 cusecs flow.[28]

Benefits[edit | edit source]

The project offers several benefits.

Construction of a RoR power plant with sufficient sluice gates would also flush the sediment from the lake area to preserve the lake.[29]

The enlarged lake will also meet the downstream navigational requirements fully during the lean flow season.[30][31][32]

The regulated buffer/surcharge water storage in the Wular lake would substantially enhance the power generation from the downstream Lower Jhelum (105 MW), Uri (720 MW), proposed 1124 MW Kohala (in PaK), proposed 720 MW Azad Pattan (in PaK), 590-MW Mahl hydropower project (in PaK), and proposed 720 MW Karot (in PaKistan) RoR hydel projects, though its own power plant's generation is marginal.[30][31][32][33]

Current status[edit | edit source]

  • 2025 Jun: In the context of India putting the IWT in abeyance, the revised DPR was being prepared by India for the construction of the Tulbul barrage.[22]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Slide 1" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 19 August 2021. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  2. ↑ "Can mistake that ruined majestic Kashmir lake be fixed?". Retrieved 29 August 2018.
  3. ↑ "Map of Wular Lake and Associated Wetlands" (PDF). Retrieved 29 August 2018.
  4. ↑ 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' ...
  5. ↑ 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 ...
  6. ↑ "Wular Lake - about Wular Lake in Srinagar". tourism.webindia123.com. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
  7. ↑ "How to kill a lake". 30 January 2009. Archived from the original on 4 March 2012. Retrieved 17 March 2010.
  8. ↑ Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal. Asiatic Society of Bengal. 1880.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 "Wular Lake". World Wide Fund for Nature India. Archived from the original on 2 June 2009. Retrieved 17 March 2010.
  10. ↑ Verma, Mohinder (9 January 2011). "Conservation of water bodies remains distant dream - Only Rs 90 lakh for Surinsar, Mansar lakes in 3 years". Daily Excelsior. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  11. ↑ Nagrika (3 February 2024). "From Definition to Conservation: A Study of Urban Wetlands of India". Zenodo: 40. doi:10.5281/ZENODO.10613126.
  12. ↑ "Cow Dung, Waste Dumped on Embankments of Wular Lake". Kashmir News Observer. 22 February 2023. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  13. ↑ "Ramsar Convention". Archived from the original on 7 October 2011. Retrieved 30 July 2011.
  14. ↑ "Municipal Waste in Wullar Lake". 19 February 2019. Retrieved 21 February 2019.
  15. ↑ "20 lakh trees to be cut to restore Wullar lake". Hindustan Times. 2 June 2011. Archived from the original on 22 October 2012. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
  16. ↑ GreaterKashmir.com (Greater Service) (20 November 2011). "Wullar Lake to get breather Lastupdate:- Sun, 20 Nov 2011 18:30:00 GMT". Greaterkashmir.com. Archived from the original on 21 November 2011. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
  17. ↑ "South Asian Voluntary associat... - Organizations - TakingITGlobal". Archived from the original on 13 November 2016. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
  18. ↑ "Wullar Barrage: An Unresolved 'Question'". 27 June 2010. Retrieved 29 August 2018.
  19. ↑ "Reviewing Tulbul navigation project can put Pakistan on backfoot: Officials". Business Standard India. 26 September 2016. Retrieved 29 August 2018.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 "Water flow data of Jhelum river at Baramulla". Retrieved 29 August 2018.
  21. ↑ "Indus Water Treaty - Part III". Retrieved 15 February 2019.
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 जम्मू-कश्मीर में वुलर झील पर सरकार फिर से शुरू करेगी तुलबुल परियोजना, पाकिस्तान की बढ़ेगी टेंशन!, MSN, 14 June 2025.
  23. ↑ "The Tulbul Navigation Project Dispute and the Negotiation Process" (PDF). Retrieved 29 August 2018.
  24. ↑ "Tulbul dispute: India seeks international arbitration". The Economic Times. 28 March 2012. Retrieved 29 August 2018.
  25. ↑ "Revitalising the Tulbul Navigation Project for Jammu and Kashmir's Development". 26 May 2025. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
  26. ↑ भारत की नई जल रणनीति बदल देगी रेगिस्तान की तस्वीर, जानें क्या चल रही प्लानिंग, MSN, 9 June 2025.
  27. ↑ "Can we actually stop the flow of water to Pakistan?". Retrieved 25 February 2019.
  28. ↑ "Hydrology and Water Budget of Wular Lake (refer Figure 5.5)" (PDF). Retrieved 29 August 2018.
  29. ↑ Romshoo, Shakil A.; Altaf, Sadaff; Rashid, Irfan; Dar, Reyaz Ahmad (2018). "Climatic, geomorphic and anthropogenic drivers of the 2014 extreme flooding in the Jhelum basin of Kashmir, India". Geomatics, Natural Hazards and Risk. 9 (1): 224–248. Bibcode:2018GNHR....9..224R. doi:10.1080/19475705.2017.1417332.
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 "Lower Jhelum Weir W00457". Archived from the original on 9 March 2016. Retrieved 29 August 2018.
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 "GB: water conservation and preservation". November 2018. Retrieved 2 November 2018.
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 "AJK likely to get Rs 12bn annually as net hydel power profit". 31 December 2018. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
  33. ↑ "Pakistan plans hydro projects on Jhelum River with Chinese help". Archived from the original on 17 January 2019. Retrieved 15 January 2019.

Further reading[edit | edit source]

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