By Mohmmad Irshad Rather
Wular Lake, a Ramsar site (wetlands of international importance) nestled in the heart of the Kashmir Valley, is facing a crisis that extends far beyond its shimmering waters. The intricate relationship between the lake and the communities that depend on it, particularly the fisherfolk, is being severely strained by the dual pressures of a changing climate and relentless humaninduced degradation. Their plight, as Ghulam Hassan Bhat, President of the Wular Fisheries community, articulated, paints a grim picture of a once-thriving ecosystem teetering on the brink.
Bhat spoke with a palpable sense of urgency. ‘Climate change has fundamentally altered the rhythms of our land.’. The decline in rainfall, particularly the lack of substantial snowfall during the harsh winter months, has a devastating domino effect. The reduced snowmelt, historically the primary source of replenishment for Wular Lake, has led to a significant decrease in water inflow, impacting every facet of the lake’s ecology.
The consequences for the fisherfolk are profound. Bhat recalled that just a decade ago, a day’s catch would yield around 10 kg of fish. Today, they struggle to net a mere 3 to 4 kg. This dramatic decline has forced a desperate alteration in their fishing practices. The traditional autumn catch has shifted towards the summer months due to critically low water levels in autumn. This unsustainable practice forces fisherfolk to exploit the entire fish stock in the summer itself, leaving them with even leaner catches in the remaining months. Furthermore, the weight of the caught fish has drastically reduced, from a respectable 4-5 kg previously to a paltry 0.5 kg to 200g now. The ecological damage extends to the very composition of fish species within the lake. Once home to around 20 varieties, including prized species, like Mahseer and Ram gurun, Wular now predominantly hosts only four species: Schizothorax (Kaeshir gaad), Chiru, Carp, and small-sized gurun. This loss of biodiversity underscores the severe stress the ecosystem is under.
While climate change casts a long shadow, the crisis at Wular Lake is further compounded by human-induced environmental degradation. ‘… sand mining has deepened the downstream river channels, effectively increasing the height gradient of Wular,’ Bhat explained. ‘This alteration has drastically reduced the water residence time of the lake, disrupting its natural rhythm and harming the wetland’s delicate ecological balance.’ The diversion of the lake’s waters through an alternative outlet has further exacerbated the hydrological imbalance, a decision that the local fishing community is vehemently protesting, demanding the restoration of the previous exit point. Bhat raised concerns about the impact of the current machinery and net fishing on the breeding sites of the fish. Alarmingly, some individuals are reportedly using electronic devices that generate electric shocks to catch fish, a practice that indiscriminately kills not only the target species but also other aquatic organisms present. The noise and disturbance from machinery like dredgers further disrupt the aquatic life, forcing fish to retreat to the deepest refuge sites.
The ecological damage extends beyond the fish population. The once-abundant growth of Trapa natans (water chestnut), locally known as ‘Guar’, is also dwindling. This plant, a significant food source for local communities, is succumbing to the combined pressures of low water levels, excessive siltation, and the influx of pollutants, both floatable and dissolved. Beyond climate change and unsustainable fishing practices, Bhat also pointed to encroachments around the catchments and the dumping of garbage as critical issues hindering the management and restoration of this site.
The interconnectedness of these issues is devastating the livelihoods of the fishing community. Families who were once entirely dependent on the lake’s bounty are struggling to make ends meet. The reduced financial output means fisherfolk are unable to support their families and provide for their children’s education, forcing them to seek manual labour and daily wage jobs. Tragically, their children are also often compelled to enter the workforce, perpetuating a cycle of poverty and limited opportunity. The decline of Wular has also dealt a strong blow to waterbased tourism, a vital source of sustenance for fisherfolk and boat operators. The situation at Wular Lake is a stark reminder of the intricate link between environmental health and human well-being. The lake’s plight is a warning, a microcosm of the global environmental crisis. It is a call to action, demanding that we move beyond rhetoric and implement concrete measures to protect our ecosystems and the communities that depend on them. Restoring the previous glory of Wular Lake requires a multi-pronged approach that addresses the impacts of climate change, curbs destructive human activities, and prioritises the needs and traditional knowledge of the communities that have lived alongside and depended on this vital water body for generations.
Mohmmad Irshad Rather is faculty at Azim Premji University. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or the positions of the organisation they represent.
