The Biz Reporter

Srinagar, Apr 11: The Environmental Policy Group (EPG) has raised serious concerns over the rapid disappearance of water bodies across Jammu and Kashmir, calling it a grave ecological crisis that demands immediate action from policymakers and regulatory authorities.

Citing the recent report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India, EPG Convenor Faiz Bakshi said the findings have confirmed what the organisation has been warning about for over a decade — though he cautioned that the actual extent of damage may be far worse than officially documented.

“315 lakes — nearly 45 per cent of the total — have completely disappeared, including those under the jurisdiction of the Forest, Revenue, and Agriculture departments,” Bakshi said, describing the CAG report as a “wake-up call” for authorities.

Court Orders Flouted, Wetlands Encroached

EPG specifically flagged the ongoing degradation of Narrakara Nambal, which it said is being converted into a residential and commercial colony in defiance of a status quo order issued by the Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court’s Division Bench. The group described this as a glaring instance of administrative inaction and institutional failure.

The group also raised alarm over the deteriorating condition of major wetlands including Haigham and Shallabugh, citing neglect and mismanagement. The Mirgund wetland, described as a thriving ecosystem just three to four years ago, has largely transformed into grassland due to inadequate maintenance, failure to ensure water intake, and a severe staff shortage.

International Treaty Obligations at Risk

EPG pointed out that Hokersar, Haigham, and Shallabugh are designated under the Ramsar Convention — an international treaty to which India is a signatory — which mandates the responsible management and wise use of listed wetlands. The group warned that their continued degradation puts India in violation of its international commitments, with potentially serious repercussions.

“EPG questions how and why these wetlands and lakes have shrunk in size when their area is on record in Ramsar documents,” Bakshi said. “We wonder whether the concerned departments and officials are even aware of this.”

The group also flagged a recent incident in which videos captured open gunfire inside Hokersar Wetland in broad daylight, with no action reported to have been taken.

Dal Lake, South and North Kashmir Also Affected

EPG cited Dal Lake as a stark example of unchecked degradation, noting that unauthorised constructions, bridge-building, pucca road-laying, and the discharge of open sewer lines continue unabated, steadily shrinking the lake ecosystem.

Across South and North Kashmir, the group said, numerous wetlands have been lost to human-induced pressures, with large areas converted into paddy fields, orchards, and commercial spaces — resulting in significant biodiversity loss and disruption of ecological balance.

Livelihoods and Communities at Stake

EPG noted that the mismanagement of wetlands and water bodies has left tens of thousands of people — who depend on these ecosystems for their livelihoods — without a reliable source of income, compounding unemployment in the region.

Supreme Court Directive: No Visible Compliance

EPG questioned the status of compliance with a Supreme Court directive from December 2024, which had mandated all states and union territories to conduct ground-truthing of wetlands and water bodies.

“There is no publicly available information on whether demarcation has been completed, encroachments removed, or a comprehensive report prepared,” the group stated.

EPG expressed concern that authorities appear to be relying on expensive advertising campaigns rather than taking tangible action on the ground. It also criticised what it called selective reporting — “showcasing video-graphed presence of large numbers of migratory birds, often from previous years — as a substitute for real conservation efforts.”

EPG Calls for Accountability and Time-Bound Action

EPG has urged the government to implement immediate, time-bound measures to protect and restore the region’s wetlands and water bodies. It called for stronger institutional accountability, increased staffing for monitoring and protection, and better coordination among departments.

“The disappearance of a very large number of wetlands and lakes in Jammu and Kashmir is too serious a matter to be addressed in speeches alone,” Bakshi said. “It demands a time-bound inquiry and accountability.”

EPG is also engaged in a Public Interest Litigation — Environmental Policy Group vs Union of India & Others — in which a series of court orders have been issued regarding the conservation of 1,230 wetlands documented by the Department of Environment, Ecology and Remote Sensing (DEERS).

The group warned that without prompt intervention, Jammu and Kashmir risks losing a vital part of its environmental and ecological heritage, with lasting consequences for both biodiversity and the communities that depend on these fragile ecosystems.