Kashmir’s Water Bodies: Ecological Lifelines and Cultural Soul

Posted by admin_kas on 2025-07-25 23:47:54 |

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Abid Ali Mir

Kashmir, often described as a paradise on Earth, is renowned not just for its mountains and meadows, but for its intricate and rich network of water bodies. From the iconic Dal Lake to the expansive Wular, from glacial streams of Lidder and Sindh to the wetlands of Hokersar and Anchar, Kashmir's identity is intimately tied to its aquatic ecosystems.

These water bodies are far more than aesthetic or touristic marvels. They represent a complex web of ecological balance, cultural heritage, biodiversity, economic sustenance, and climate resilience. Their degradation, therefore, is not just an environmental loss but a civilizational one.

Water bodies in Kashmir serve as natural reservoirs, filters, and regulators of the ecosystem. Lakes like Wular and Manasbal act as sponges during heavy rainfall and snowmelt, absorbing excess water and preventing floods downstream. Wular Lake, which is one of the largest freshwater lakes in Asia, was once capable of holding over two billion cubic meters of water.

However, encroachments and siltation have drastically reduced its capacity over the years, contributing to periodic floods that ravage the Kashmir Valley. Scientific assessments conducted by the Wetlands International South Asia and the Jammu and Kashmir Remote Sensing Centre indicate that over 50 percent of Wular’s original area has been lost in the last century, primarily due to human interference.

Wetlands in Kashmir, including Hokersar, Mirgund, and Shalabugh, play an equally vital role in sustaining biodiversity. These wetlands are internationally recognized under the Ramsar Convention, highlighting their global importance as bird habitats.

Every winter, tens of thousands of migratory birds such as the northern pintail, gadwall, Eurasian wigeon, and common teal make their way from Siberia and Central Asia to rest and feed in these water-rich sanctuaries.

The presence of these birds is not just a spectacle of nature; it’s a marker of ecological health. Their numbers and migratory patterns serve as indicators of climatic changes and pollution levels in the region.

Beyond their ecological value, water bodies are intricately woven into the cultural and historical fabric of Kashmir. The Dal Lake is not just a tourist destination but a living community. Hundreds of families live on houseboats, run floating markets, and cultivate floating vegetable gardens locally known as “Raadh.” This unique hydro-culture represents a sustainable way of life adapted to water ecosystems.

In Srinagar, the Nigeen Lake and the Jhelum River are essential to both transport and tradition, where shikaras (wooden boats) serve as both vehicles and vessels of Kashmiri aesthetics.

Religious and spiritual associations also abound. Many sufi shrines and historical mosques are located beside water bodies, reflecting the Islamic tradition of water as a symbol of purity and life.

Ritual ablutions, community gatherings, and even festivals are conducted in proximity to lakes and rivers, reflecting a civilizational reverence for these natural features. The sacred spring of Verinag, believed to be the source of the Jhelum River, is another example of how geography and spirituality intersect in Kashmir.

However, this ecological and cultural treasure is under severe threat. Rapid urbanization, unregulated tourism, pollution, and climate change are accelerating the degradation of Kashmir’s water bodies. According to a report by the Department of Environment, Ecology and Remote Sensing (DEE&RS), over 50 percent of the wetlands in Kashmir have either shrunk or turned into wastelands in the past four decades.

Lakes are choking on untreated sewage, plastic waste, and construction debris. The Dal Lake, which once covered an area of 22 square kilometers, has reportedly shrunk to less than 10 square kilometers due to encroachment and pollution.

Another major challenge is the increasing siltation from deforestation in the upper catchments. Trees, which naturally hold soil in place, are being cut for development and fuel, leading to faster erosion. This sediment is then carried by rivers and streams into lakes and wetlands, filling them up and reducing their depth and water-holding capacity.

Kashmir’s water bodies are not just scenic backdrops—they are ecological regulators, spiritual sites, and lifelines for livelihoods. Their decline is more than environmental—it threatens culture, climate stability, and civilizational memory

Research from the University of Kashmir’s Department of Earth Sciences confirms that Dal Lake is losing depth at an alarming rate, which has further worsened its weed infestation and water stagnation.

Water bodies also play a critical role in local agriculture and economy. The wetlands support paddy fields, provide fish, reeds, and fodder for livestock, and sustain livelihoods for thousands. Fishermen from communities like the Hanji depend directly on healthy lakes and rivers. With water levels declining and pollution increasing, fish populations have plummeted, affecting both food security and income sources.

Scientifically, Kashmir’s water bodies also act as climate buffers. Glacial-fed rivers such as Lidder and Sindh regulate temperature and maintain humidity, supporting the unique temperate ecology of the region.

Climate researchers from the Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine and the University of Kashmir have noted that shrinking water bodies may lead to local warming, reduced rainfall, and the collapse of micro-ecosystems. This is already evident in the increasing frequency of droughts and unseasonal weather patterns across the Valley.

Unchecked urbanization, pollution, and deforestation are rapidly shrinking Kashmir’s lakes and wetlands. What once supported birds, boats, rice fields, and traditions now struggle under the weight of human neglect.

The path to revival and protection is not just scientific, but also moral and collective. Islamic teachings emphasize the sacredness of water. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said, “Do not waste water, even if you are at a running stream.” This wisdom is deeply relevant today. Environmental conservation, in the Islamic worldview, is not a secular concern but a divine responsibility. Local religious leaders, scholars, and community elders must therefore take the lead in spreading awareness, mobilizing youth, and fostering ethical stewardship. 

Public participation is another cornerstone. Scientific interventions alone cannot solve the crisis unless the communities living around these water bodies are engaged and empowered. Programs involving lake cleaning, waste management, afforestation of catchment areas, and sustainable tourism must be implemented with transparency and inclusion.

The example of Mansbal Lake, which has shown signs of revival due to community-driven efforts and governmental support, should serve as a model for others.

The water bodies of Kashmir are not passive landscapes; they are living ecosystems that breathe life into the region's environment, culture, economy, and identity. Their preservation is not merely an environmental agenda but an existential one. As climate change and human pressure intensify, the need to protect and restore these aquatic systems becomes all the more urgent.

It is not just about saving lakes and rivers, but about saving Kashmir itself. The fight to conserve water bodies must therefore be grounded in science, strengthened by culture, and guided by conscience.

Abid Ali Mir is a Kashmiri writer, poet and thinker advocating Islamic finance, social justice, environmental preservation, and action against plastic pollution.