Wular Lake

Infobox lake
lake_name = Wular Lake
image_lake =
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location = Jammu and Kashmir, India
coords = coord|34|20|N|74|36|E|region:IN_type:waterbody|display=inline,title
type =
inflow = Jhelum
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basin_countries = India
length =
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area = 12 to 100 sq mi (30 to 260 km²)
depth =
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Wular Lake (also spelt Wullar) is one of the largest fresh water lakes in Asia. It is situated in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, between the cities of Sopore and Bandipore . The lake was formed as a result of tectonic activity and is the largest freshwater lake in Asia.

The River Jhelum feeds into the lake, which acts as a natural flood reservoir. The size can vary between 12 and 100 square miles (30 to 260 square kilometers), depending on the season.

Lake Fauna

The Wular lake is an important habitat for the fish fauna of the region. It provides about 60 per cent of the fish yield of the Kashmir region. The dominant fish species found in the Wular are: Cyprinus carpio, Barbus conchonius, Gambusia affinis, Nemacheilus sp., Crossocheilus latius, Schizothorax curvifrons, S.esocinus, S.planifrons, S.micropogon, S.longipinus and S.niger.

The Wular lake with its characteristic features sustains a rich population of avifauna. Terrestrial birds observed around the lake are the black - eared kite, sparrow hawk, short-toed eagle, Himalayan golden eagle, monal pheasant, chukar partridge, kiklas pheasant, blue rock pigeon, cuckoo, small cuckoo, alpine swift, Kashmir roller, Himalayan pied woodpecker, hoopoe, common swallow, golden oriole and others.

ocial & Cultural Values

The Wular lake is of great socio - economic importance in the valley of Kashmir both in regard to its ecological and economic aspects. It offers sustenance to thousands of people living in and around the lake. More than eight thousand fishermen earn their livelihood from this lake and are the main suppliers of the endemic Schizothorax and the exotic Cyprinus carpio.

About 60 per cent of fish yield in Kashmir is contributed by the Wular lake. Additionally, hundreds of local villagers are engaged by cooperative societies which deal in fish and thus earn their livelihood. A large number of families are also dependent on the lake for fodder from plant species such as Phragmites, Nymphoides, etc.

[http://www.wwfindia.org/about_wwf/what_we_do/freshwater_wetlands/our_work/ramsar_sites/wular_lake_.cfm] There are 15th century ruins in the centre of the lake which are the remains of an island created by King Zain-ul-abidin. With its turbulent, perpetually wind-ruffled waters, its exciting variety of avian life enhances the sheer beauty of its setting.

The Tulbul project is a "navigation lock-cum-control structure" at the mouth of the Wular Lake. It envisages regulated water release from the natural storage in the lake to maintain a minimum draught of 4.5 feet in the river up to Baramulla during the lean winter months.

There's an ongoing dispute between India and Pakistan over this project since 1987. The project was conceived in the 1980s and work began in 1984. It was stopped midway in 1987 after Islamabad raised objections alleging that the project violates the 1960 Indus Water Treaty. India is insisting on the revival of work on this project. The Jhelum, which flows through the Kashmir valley, provides an important means of transportation of goods and movement of people. To sustain navigation throughout the year it is considered necessary to maintain a minimum depth of water, which will permit movement of boats. India holds that this is permissible under the treaty, while Pakistan maintains that the project is a violation of the treaty. India says suspension of work is harming the interests of people of Jammu and Kashmir and also depriving people of Pakistan of irrigation and power benefits that may accrue from regulated water releases.