Communities Work to Bring Kashmir’s Famous Lakes Back to Life

Two Lakes Facing Years of Decline

In northern India, local communities and conservationists are working to restore two of Kashmir’s most famous lakes after decades of pollution, encroachment and neglect.

Wular and Dal lakes have long been important parts of life in Kashmir. They provide livelihoods for local residents while also supporting farming, fishing and traditional activities connected to the water.

Removing Millions of Cubic Metres of Silt

At Wular Lake, restoration work has focused on removing large amounts of accumulated silt that reduced the lake’s capacity. Authorities have removed around 8 million cubic metres of sediment, with some of the fertile material being distributed to nearby farmers.

The work is already producing visible changes. Areas where lotus flowers and water chestnuts had declined are beginning to recover, giving local residents hope that parts of the lake can return to their former condition.

A Lake That Supports Generations of Families

For people living around Wular and Dal, the lakes are more than scenic places. They are closely connected to family livelihoods and local traditions.

Residents have traditionally depended on the lakes for activities including harvesting water plants, fishing and farming. Younger residents who grew up around the water are now witnessing efforts to protect the environment that has supported their families for generations.

Turning Lake Waste Into Something Useful

Restoration efforts at Dal Lake are also exploring ways to deal with one of its major problems: excessive aquatic weeds.

Instead of treating the weeds only as waste, local entrepreneurs and conservation groups are working to turn them into organic fertiliser. The approach creates a potential source of income while helping remove unwanted vegetation from the lake.

Hope for a Different Future

The recovery of Kashmir’s lakes is not expected to happen overnight. Pollution, urban development and years of environmental damage continue to present challenges.

But the work has shown that restoration can involve more than government projects alone. Farmers, conservationists, workers and local communities are all playing a role in protecting places that have shaped their lives for generations.

For the people who depend on these lakes, restoring the water is also about protecting a way of life and giving future generations a chance to experience the same places they grew up with.

Source: BBC World Service, “Bringing Kashmir’s lakes back to life”, People Fixing The World, September 29, 2026.