Sajid Raina
Bandipora, Sep 5: For the restoration of Wular Lake, one of the largest freshwater lakes in South Asia, in northern Kashmir’s Bandipora district, 4.35 Sq kms area has been cleaned so far while the work for non-motorable walkway has been started.
An official said that the lake being an asset of international importance is being restored at a speedier pace by Wular Conservation and Management Authority (WUCMA) Authorities.
“Total 4.35 Sq kms have been cleaned so far and work on non-motorable walkway has been started by Banyari side as well,” he said, adding that the lake is spread over 13,000 hectares of area with an additional 486.12 hectares of area as its zone of influence.
Earlier, the administration approved the integrated management plan for the conservation of Wular Lake under which various activities worth Rs 150 crore will be undertaken for scientific management of the wetland.
Notably, over the past three decades, the lake had been losing its carrying capacity due to plantation and encroachment. Even its water quality deteriorated after untreated sewage and solid waste was disposed of in it.
