Wular Lake Management Workshop inaugurated by Financial Commissioner, Forests

Srinagar, Aug 08: Dheeraj Gupta, IAS, the Financial Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary (Forest), inaugurated a multi-stakeholder workshop aimed at the management and conservation of Wular Lake. The event, held at Banquet Hall on M.A. Road, Srinagar, was organized by the Wular Conservation and Management Authority (WUCMA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC) and the German Development Cooperation (GIZ) as part of their Technical Cooperation project, ‘Wetlands Management for Biodiversity and Climate Protection.’
The workshop brought together diverse stakeholders, including representatives from various government departments, local NGOs, researchers, and community members, to discuss the progress of management actions for Wular Lake. The workshop aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of past efforts and to jointly identify future priorities and strategies for the integrated management of this critical ecosystem.
In his address, Dheeraj Gupta emphasized the Jammu & Kashmir government’s commitment to restoring and revitalizing Wular Lake, with a special focus on ecotourism and improving the livelihoods of local communities. He highlighted the importance of analyzing previous efforts and their outcomes to ensure more effective and coordinated action in the future. Gupta noted that tourism in Kashmir has seen a significant surge in recent years, increasing interest in the region’s natural and cultural attractions. He revealed that WUCMA is actively developing a comprehensive zonal master plan for ecotourism around Wular Lake, aimed at integrating sustainable practices to maintain the ecological balance while fostering local livelihoods.
The Additional Chief Secretary stressed the need for improved inter-departmental collaboration to ensure cohesive efforts across various governmental and non-governmental organizations. He described Wular Lake as a societal asset and expressed confidence that the workshop would produce actionable points and a clear roadmap for its future management, with specific timelines and measurable indicators to guide ongoing efforts.
Earlier in the workshop, T. Rabi Kumar, IFS, Chief Executive Director (CED) of WUCMA, welcomed participants and highlighted the conservation activities undertaken so far. He reported that approximately 5 square kilometers of critically silted areas of the lake have been dredged, significantly enhancing water flow and improving the overall water regime, which has contributed to habitat restoration and increased the lake’s importance as a stopover for migratory birds. Kumar also noted that continuous monitoring and improved waste management have helped maintain the lake’s water quality.
Dr. Ritesh Kumar, Director of Wetlands International South Asia (WISA), also addressed the workshop, underscoring the impact of WUCMA’s activities and outlining broad strategies for future management.
The MoEF&CC-GIZ Technical Cooperation Project, under which the workshop was conducted, is being implemented in Jammu and Kashmir in partnership with WUCMA, the J&K Wetland Authority, and the J&K Forest Department (DEERS), with technical support from Wetlands International South Asia. The workshop included participation from representatives of the District Administrations of Bandipore and Baramulla, as well as departments like RDD, PHE, Tourism, Fisheries, Agriculture, Horticulture, Wildlife Protection, and Forests. Researchers from institutions like the University of Kashmir, Wildlife Institute of India, SKUAST-K, National Institute of Hydrology, and members of the local fishermen community also took part in the discussions.