Protect J&K’s water bodies

The allegation of filling or reclaiming a portion of Dal Lake, now circulating through social media, should not be dismissed as just another online controversy. Given the ecological and hydrological importance of Dal Lake, even a seemingly minor alteration warrants prompt verification by the authorities. The Environmental Policy Group’s demand for a joint spot inspection is therefore reasonable. Before drawing conclusions, the administration must establish the exact location, ownership, land classification and nature of the activity shown in the video. If filling, dumping, encroachment, reclamation or alteration of a water channel is found, the law must be enforced without exception. The larger concern, however, extends far beyond Dal Lake. J&K’s lakes, wetlands, rivers, streams, springs, nallahs and natural drainage channels constitute an interconnected ecological system. Wular, Anchar, Nigeen, Manasbal, Khushal Sar, Gilsar and Hokersar, along with the Jhelum and its tributaries, are not surplus land awaiting conversion. They store water, sustain biodiversity, recharge groundwater and help absorb excess flows during periods of heavy rainfall. The consequences of neglect are increasingly evident. Blocked drainage channels, construction along watercourses, dumping and encroachments can reduce the capacity of natural systems to handle water, increasing vulnerability to urban flooding and other climate-related risks. The government should consequently move from reactive action to systematic monitoring. GIS and satellite mapping, drone surveys and periodic physical inspections can help establish the actual extent of vulnerable water bodies and identify changes over time. Equally important is transparency: identified encroachments and action taken against violations should be placed in the public domain. Development is necessary, but development that destroys natural drainage and water-storage systems ultimately imposes greater economic and social costs. Every proposed filling, construction or alteration affecting a water body must undergo proper environmental, hydrological and technical scrutiny. Dal Lake should become a test case for a broader J&K-wide policy: protect natural water systems before irreversible damage is done.