Wular Lake is one of the largest freshwater lakes in Asia, located in Jammu and Kashmir, India. It was formed by tectonic activity and is fed by the Jhelum River. The lake varies in size seasonally from 30-260 square kilometers and supports a rich diversity of plants, fish, and migratory birds. However, over time the lake has shrunk by 45% due to conversion of land for agriculture and plantations. Efforts are underway to restore the lake and conserve its ecological value.

1. Wular lake

2. Wular lake (‫ولر‬ ‫)جھیل‬
 Wular Lake (also spelt Wullar) is one of the largest fresh
water lakes in Asia
 It is sited in Bandipora district in the Indian state of Jammu
and Kashmir.
 The lake basin was formed as a result of tectonic activity
and is fed by the Jhelum River.
 The lake's size varies seasonally from 12 to 100 square
miles (30 to 260 square kilometers).
 Jhelum river drains the lake westwards, through the Pir
Panjal Range into the Indus.

3. Coordinates :
Location Jammu and Kashmir, India
Coordinates 34°20′N 74°36′E Coordinates: 34°20′N 74°36′E
Type Freshwater Lake
Primary inflows Jhelum River
Primary outflows Jhelum River
Basin countries India
Max. length 16 km (9.9 mi)
Max. width 9.6 km (6.0 mi)
Surface area 12 to 100 sq mi (31 to 259 km
2
)
Max. depth 14 m (46 ft)
Surface elevation 1,580 m (5,180 ft)

4. Etymology
 In ancient times, Wular Lake was also called Mahapadmasar .
 Mahapadmasar is referred as Bolor by Al-Biruni {960–1031 AD}.
 The lake, with its big dimensions and the extent of water, gives rise to
high leaping waves in the afternoons, called Ullola in Sanskrit, meaning
"stormy leaping, high rising waves".
 Therefore, it was also being called Ullola.
 Its corrupted form saw its transition as Bolor by Al-Biruni and over the
centuries corrupted further to Wulor or Wular.
 The Kashmiri sultan Zain-ul-Abidin is reputed to have ordered the
construction of the artificial island of Zaina Lank in the middle of the lake in
1444

5. Natural history
 The lake is one of the 26 Indian wetlands designated as a Ramsar site.
 However it faces environmental threats including :
1. the conversion of large parts of the lake's catchment areas into
agriculture land.
2. pollution from fertilizers and animal wastes.
3. hunting of waterfowl and migratory birds.
4. Weed infestation in the lake itself.
 Wular Lake is an important fish habitat & the lake sustains a rich
population of birds.
 Wular lake within River Jhelum basin plays a significant role in the
hydrograph of the Kashmir valley by acting as a huge absorption basin
for floodwaters

6. Vegetation
 Extensive areas of submerged, floating, and emergent macrophytes of
species such as:
• Ceratophyllum demersum,
• Myriophyllum spicatum,
• Nymphoides peltata,
• Nelumbo nucifera,
• Trapa bispinosa,
• Phragmites communies

7. Fauna
 An important habitat for fish, accounting for 60 percent of the total
fish production in j&k.
 Fish :Wular Lake is an important fish habitat, the main species being :
 common carp (Cyprinus carpio),
 rosy barb (Barbus conchonius),
 mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis),
 Nemacheilus species,
 Crossocheilus latius,
 Various snowtrout species in the genera Schizopyge and Schizothorax.
 Snowtrout species identified in the lake include the Sattar snowtrout
(Schizopyge curvifrons),Chirruh snowtrout (Schizopyge esocinus),
Schizothorax planifrons, Schizothorax macropogon, Schizothorax
longipinus and Chush snowtrout (Schizopyge niger).

8. Fauna
 Birds
 The lake sustains a rich population of birds.
 The Lake was known to be an important staging and wintering area for
migratory ducks, particularly Aythya fuligul but no recent data .
 Terrestrial birds observed around the lake include the black-eared kite,
Eurasian sparrowhawk, short-toed eagle, Himalayan golden eagle, Himalayan
monal, chukar partridge, koklass pheasant, rock dove, common cuckoo,
alpine swift, Indian roller, Himalayan woodpecker, hoopoe, barn swallow,
golden oriole and others

9. black-eared kite Eurasian sparrowhawk
short-toed snake eagle
Himalayan golden eagle
chukar partridgehoopoe alpine swift

10. Recognition
 The lake was included in 1986 as a Wetland of National
Importance under the Wetlands Programme of the
Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of
India for intensive conservation and management
purposes.
 Subsequently in1990, it was designated as a Wetland of
International Importance under the Ramsar Convention.
Wetland map

11. Restoration
 Amongst other developments, two million trees will be cut to
restore Wular Lake under the National Lake Conservation
Programme.
 The partner organisation South Asian Voluntary Association of
Environmentalists (SAVE) is a joint initiative of individuals with
the aim to protect the ecology and to conserve the nature at
Wular Lake.
 Projects :
 COMPREHENSIVE MANAGEMENT ACTION PLAN (2007)
 REVISED COMPREHENSIVE MANAGEMENT ACTION PLAN (2011-16)
SATELLITE IMAGEING
(SPECTRAL)

12.  As per details given in the Comprehensive Management Plan for Wullar Lake
(2007-11) prepared by Wetlands International, South Asia, collation of existing
information augmented through rapid surveys, intensive community
consultations and participatory resource appraisals indicated the following:-
 The area of lake as per topo sheets of 1911 was 217.8 sq km which
includes 58 sq km of associated marshes. The area was reduced from157.74
sq. km to 86.71 sq km during 1911 to 2007.
 Overall there was reduction the lake area by 45% mainly due to conversion for
agriculture (28%) and plantation (17%). Further associated marshes were
reduced by 70% again due to conversions for
agriculture and settlements.
 One fifth of the water holding capacity has been lost over last three decades
due to siltation from degraded catchments and wetland conversions for
agriculture and willow plantations.

13. Other lakes of j&k state
 The Dal Lake is a beautiful lake in the heart of Srinagar city. Floating gardens are
found in the western part of the lake. These gardens are used for horticulture.
 The Anchar Lake is a swampy area. It is about 8 km long and 3 km wide.
 The Mansbal Lake is at a distance of 29 km from Srinagar and is situated at Sopore
It is 5 km long and 1 km wide. It is connected with Jhelum by a canal near Sumbal.
 The Harwan Lake is situated at a distance of 21 km. from Srinagar. It is 278 meters
long, 137 meters wide and 18 meters deep. This lake is a source of water supply to
Srinagar city.
 The Hokarsar Lake lies on the Baramulla road about 13 km from Srinagar. It is
about 5 km long and 1.5 km. wide. Willow trees are grown in abundance around its
banks. Hokarsar has been designated as Ramsar Site.
 The Surinsar and Mansar Lakes : The Surinsar Lake is located in Jammu district
and Mansar Lake lies in Udhampur district. Surinsar Lake along with Mansar Lake
has been designated as one under the Convention of Wetlands of International
Importance.