518 lakes disappeared or shrunk in J&K: GoI

New Delhi, Jul 30: The Centre on Thursday said the assessment cited in the CAG report that 518 out of 697 lakes in Jammu and Kashmir had disappeared or reduced in size was based on satellite imagery and was indicative in nature, and did not by itself constitute conclusive evidence of permanent disappearance, shrinkage, encroachment or unlawful conversion of wetlands.
The Ministry of Jal Shakti, in its reply to a starred question in the Lok Sabha, said the assessment was based on an inventory of water bodies prepared by the Department of Environment & Remote Sensing, Jammu & Kashmir, using LISS-III satellite imagery with an approximate spatial resolution of 23 metres. It said such datasets provide preliminary technical information for administrators and researchers and indicate changes in water spread or land cover, but cannot independently establish substantial changes.
The ministry said that the conclusions regarding disappearance, shrinkage, encroachment or unlawful conversion require correlation with land records, cadastral maps, notified wetland boundaries, field inspections and records maintained by competent custodial and enforcement authorities. Subsequently, the J&K Government undertook a comprehensive revision and expansion of the inventory using very-high-resolution satellite imagery, grid-based analysis, field verification and jurisdictional refinement.
According to the revised inventory, Jammu and Kashmir now has 1,793 wetlands and water bodies. Of these, 1,499 are wetlands below one hectare and additional wetland-like features, with 574 under forest/wildlife jurisdiction and 925 outside forest areas. Another 294 wetlands above one hectare were found present, including 113 inside forests, 54 within protected areas, three under LCMA/WUCMA jurisdiction and 124 outside forests.
On conservation measures, the government said the Union Territory Wetland Authority, chaired by the Chief Secretary, has been constituted in Jammu and Kashmir, while District Wetland Management Units have been established for coordinated planning, monitoring and conservation of water bodies at the district level.
The government further said that Wular Lake is being conserved and managed by the Wular Conservation and Management Authority (WUCMA), while Dal and Nigeen Lakes are managed by the Lake Conservation and Management Authority (LCMA). Manasbal Lake is managed by the Wular-Manasbal Development Authority (WMDA).
The Wildlife Protection Department is responsible for protection and management of ecologically significant wetlands including Hokersar, Haigam, Shallabugh, Surinsar-Mansar and Gharana Wetlands. Wetlands located within reserve forests and other forest lands are being protected by the Forest Department through regular surveillance and habitat conservation measures.
The J&K government has also undertaken periodic wetland inventory, mapping and monitoring using remote sensing supported by field verification, along with restoration and catchment conservation wherever required. Site-specific management plans are being prepared and implemented, while measures include selective de-siltation of critically silted areas, deepening and restoration of natural streams and nallahs, creation and maintenance of pools and navigational channels, and selective de-weeding.
Other measures listed by the government include development of roosting and nesting sites for waterbirds, construction of watch towers, strengthening surveillance through anti-poaching and anti-encroachment measures, solid waste collection and scientific disposal, maintenance of optimum water levels during high- and low-flow periods through hydrological management, and annual waterbird population estimation and biodiversity monitoring.
At the national level, the ministry said protection, conservation and management of wetlands, including lakes, is primarily undertaken by the respective State Governments and UT Administrations, as water is a state subject. The Central Government supplements these efforts through various programmes and interventions.
The ministry also said the first Census of Water Bodies was conducted in 33 States/UTs under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Irrigation Census, with 100 per cent Central assistance, with the objective of developing a national database covering details such as size, condition, encroachment status, use, storage capacity and filling status of water bodies. (KNO)