Dal Lake shrinks by over 10%

CAG flags encroachments, governance lapses

Falak Bilal
Srinagar, Apr 11: The iconic Dal Lake is facing a serious ecological crisis, with its open water area shrinking by more than 10 percent over the past decade, according to a recent audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG).

The report reveals that the lake’s water spread declined from 15.40 square kilometres in 2007 to 12.91 square kilometres in 2020, attributing the deterioration to rising encroachments, untreated sewage discharge, and weak institutional oversight.
The audit noted a significant increase in human activity within and around the lake, including the expansion of floating gardens, agricultural use, and built-up areas. These developments, it said, have reduced the lake’s water surface and disrupted its fragile ecosystem.
Encroachments in key areas have emerged as a major concern. “The continuous expansion of settlements and floating gardens has directly contributed to the shrinking of the lake’s open water area,” the report observed.
Despite investments exceeding Rs 45 crore in sewage treatment infrastructure, untreated waste continues to flow into the lake. The audit pointed to incomplete sewerage networks and delays in connecting households and houseboats as major reasons behind the failure.
The report also flagged serious lapses in the functioning of the Lakes Conservation and Management Authority (LCMA), stating that it failed to effectively regulate land use or respond to the rapid ecological changes. Conservation projects under major government schemes were found to be delayed or poorly implemented, while funds remained underutilised due to weak project management.
Environmental degradation has further been accelerated by nutrient inflows, leading to excessive weed growth that is choking the lake and degrading water quality.
Local stakeholders have expressed deep concern over the situation. Manzoor Pakhtoon, President of the Houseboat Association, warned that continued neglect could have devastating consequences.
“If illegal constructions and pollution are not stopped immediately, Dal Lake will not survive,” Pakhtoon said. “Thousands of families depend on this lake for their livelihood. If the lake vanishes, so will our future.”
Residents echoed similar concerns, saying that unchecked encroachments and administrative inaction are pushing the lake towards irreversible damage.
The CAG has called for urgent corrective measures, including a comprehensive lake management policy, improved sewage treatment systems, strict monitoring of encroachments, and faster execution of conservation projects.
Without immediate and sustained intervention, the report cautioned, restoring the ecological health of Dal Lake may become increasingly difficult, putting both the environment and livelihoods at serious risk.