J&K Lakes Ecological Crisis: CAG Report Highlights Disappearance of 315 Lakes

Jammu and Kashmir Lake Depletion: A Severe Environmental Alarm

A recent report by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has brought to light a massive ecological crisis in Jammu and Kashmir, revealing a significant loss of the region's water bodies over the last few decades.

Key Findings of the Report

• Drastic Reduction: Out of 697 lakes recorded in the region in 1967, approximately 315 lakes have completely disappeared. This represents a loss of about 1,537 hectares of water area.

• Shrinkage: Another 203 lakes have significantly shrunk. In total, 518 lakes have lost nearly 2,851 hectares of water spread.

• Major Causes: The decline is attributed to illegal encroachment, rising pollution levels, rapid land-use changes, inefficient sewage treatment, and weak administrative monitoring.

Conservation Gaps

The CAG audit highlighted that conservation efforts were disproportionately focused on only six major lakes, including the famous Dal Lake and Wular Lake. The vast majority of smaller but ecologically vital water bodies remained without any formal management or protection plans.

For TNPSC and Civil Services aspirants, this is a vital case study in "Environment & Ecology" and "Governance," illustrating the importance of decentralized environmental management and the impact of unplanned urbanization on high-altitude ecosystems.