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WUCMA

The Wular Conservation and Management Authority (WUCMA) was constituted in September 2012 for the conservation and management of Wular Lake, one of the Asia’s largest freshwater lake and a Ramsar Site of international importance.

The authority implements the Comprehensive Management Action Plan (CMAP 2007) framed by Wetlands International South Asia (WISA). Its mandate includes wetland survey, demarcation, catchment area conservation, biodiversity protection, livelihood improvement, and eco-tourism development.

The Wular Conservation Project is a multi-pronged initiative aimed at reviving the ecological health of Wular Lake. Covering an area of 130  sq. km. and a perimeter of around  84 km, this lake is one of the most important wetlands of the Kashmir  Valley. Located 34 km northwest of  Srinagar City, the Wular lake lies in  Bandipora and Baramulla districts  of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K). River  Jhelum, which directly or indirectly connects most wetlands of the  Kashmir Valley longitudinally and  altitudinally, flows through the  entire length of the Kashmir Valley  and ultimately drains into the Wular  Lake. The river enters the lake at Banyari in the south, and exits from  Ningli Sopore in the west. Overall,  the lake plays an important role in  maintaining not only the hydrography  of the Kashmir Valley by acting as a  huge absorption basin for flood waters  but also the ecological and economic  spheres of the valley.

However, the lake has faced numerous challenges in recent decades, including siltation, pollution, and invasive species growth, leading to a significant decline in its size and ecological diversity.

Project Objectives

  • Restoration of lake area:The project aims to reclaim areas lost to siltation and willow plantations, thereby increasing the lake’s surface area.

 

  • Improvement of water quality:Measures are being taken to reduce pollution from agricultural runoff and sewage discharge, thereby improving the water quality of the lake.

 

  • Enhancement of biodiversity:The project focuses on creating a conducive habitat for native fish, bird species, and other aquatic life.

 

  • Sustainable livelihood development:The project involves efforts to promote alternative livelihoods for communities traditionally dependent on the lake for activities like willow farming, thereby reducing pressure on the ecosystem.

 

  • Community engagement:Local communities are actively involved in the conservation efforts through awareness programs, capacity building initiatives, and participation in decision-making processes.

 

Key Project Activities

  • Consolidation and boundary protection: Concrete pillars have been installed to mark the lake’s legal boundary, preventing encroachment. To consolidate demarcated boundaries, embankments are raised and mesh-wire fencing is constructed to protect vulnerable areas.

 

  • Dredging and de-siltation: Silt accumulated over the years is being removed to restore the lake’s depth and improve water flow. Comprehensive DPR is under preparation and the west shore of Wular lake is being desilted through the Mechanical Engineering Wing of Irrigation & Flood Control Department.

 

  • Removal of invasive species: Willow trees, introduced in the past for commercial purposes, are being systematically removed to restore the lake’s natural ecosystem. So far 1.21 lac willows have been removed generating revenue of Rs. 24.95 crores.

 

  • Catchment area management: Afforestation efforts are underway in the lake’s catchment area to reduce soil erosion and sedimentation.

 

  • Ecotourism Development: Wetland-dependent communities are supported by developing ecotourism businesses, such as Wular Walkway, Ecoparks, guided tours, boat tours, and nature lodges.

 

  • Livelihood Diversification: Programs are being implemented to train local communities in alternative income-generating activities like fish farming, Geese poultry, handicrafts, and agriculture.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Functions of the Department

 

  • Survey, demarcation and legal boundary consolidation of Wular Lake.

 

  • Prevention and removal of encroachments; boundary protection (pillars, embankments & mesh-wire fencing).

 

  • Dredging and de-siltation to restore lake area, depth and hydrological connectivity.
  • Removal and auction of invasive willow plantations and stump grubbing.
  • Water quality monitoring in partnership with J&K Pollution Control Committee.
  • Biodiversity conservation: bird monitoring, anti-poaching patrols, species surveys (avifauna, fish).
  • Ecotourism infrastructure and livelihood development (walkways, ecoparks, bird towers, trainings, skill development).
  • Catchment conservation and afforestation to reduce sediment inflow.
  • Community engagement: awareness programmes, Green Skill training, ‘Wetland Mitra’ partnerships.

 

Legal Instruments for the Conservation and Management of Wular Lake.

 

  1. The Jammu & Kashmir Development Act, 1970
  2. The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
  3. The Indian Forest Act, 1927
  4. The Biological Diversity Act, 2002
  5. The Wetland (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017
  6. The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
  7. J&K Non-Biodegradable Material (Management, Handling & Disposal) Rules, 2009.

 

Exhibitions / public displays / outreach

 

  • Wular Walkway & Ecoparks: constructed and planned walkways and ecoparks at Banyari, S.K. Payeen and Watlab for visitor awareness and nature appreciation.
  • Awareness drives & trainings: Green Skill Development trainings (basic ornithology and waste-management training for youth), bird-watching camps, Wetland Mitra community outreach and door-to-door waste management campaigns in neighbouring villages

 

  • .Bird Walks & Nature Camps with school/college students.

 

  • Awareness & Cleanliness Drives on Wetland Day, Environment Day, Wildlife Week, Biodiversity Day, World Water Day etc.

 

  • Exhibitions of Cultural Heritage – folklore of Wular Raz, Zaina Lank, etc.
  • Wular Mitras Programme – over 200 volunteers supporting conservation.
  • Nature Knowledge Centres in 22 schools of Bandipora (2024–25).

 

Schemes/Progress

 

The Wular Conservation Project has made significant progress since its inception. The lake’s surface area has increased by over 5 square kilometers, water quality has shown signs of improvement and rare migratory bird species have been visiting Wular lake after many years.

 

  1. 13th Finance Commission (13th FC) Wular Conservation works.

Centrally funded tranche used in early project phases for boundary demarcation, willow removal, initial dredging, and institutional setup.

 

  1. NPCA (National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic ecosystems).

Funds targeted at specific conservation actions and biodiversity monitoring/awareness projects for the wetland.

 

 

 

 

  1. CAPEX (Major capital works for eco-restoration & infrastructure).

Large capital program (dredging, walkways, ecoparks, embankments, watch-towers and field offices) to restore hydrology, build visitor infrastructure and boundary protection.

 

  1. Boundary Consolidation & Protection.

Installation of 1,159 geotagged physical boundary pillars, earthen bund construction, mesh fencing and consolidation of 10 km of vulnerable periphery for legal protection against encroachment.

 

  1. Dredging & De-siltation (Water Management).

Cutter suction dredgers and mechanical desilting operations to restore lake depth and area; ~4.35 sq.km restored so far and continued dredging priorities for silted zones. And targeted 0.5 sq.km de-siltation on the western shore.

 

  1. Removal of invasive Willows (Auction & Grubbing).

Systematic removal and auction of willow trees (historically ~1.21–1.24 lakh willows removed; revenue ~₹24–25 crores) to recover lake area and restore habitat. The current program continues with further willow removal by auction.

 

  1. Catchment Conservation / Afforestation.

Afforestation in catchment areas to reduce erosion and sediment inflow; large-area tree planting targets under catchment programmes.

 

 

 

  1. Biodiversity Conservation & Monitoring

Avifauna surveys, ringing and monitoring in collaboration with WII, NIH Roorkee and SKUAST; anti-poaching squads and regular bird monitoring work.

 

  1. Ecotourism & Livelihood Diversification.

Walkways, ecoparks, bird hides, non-motorable walkways, boat tours, and training of local youth as bird guides; promotion of geese-farming, fish farming and handicrafts to diversify incomes.

 

  1. Institutional Development & Field Offices

Construction and staffing of field offices, anti-poaching camps, watch-towers and support for enforcement and monitoring. (Two field offices and four anti-poaching/watchtower structures sofar).

 

  1. Solid waste management support (District level collaboration).

Financial and technical support to Bandipora Municipal Council and villages for door-to-door waste collection, bins, dumpers; district waste management planning to reduce municipal waste entering the lake.

 

  1. Non-motorable walkways — Phase I & II.

Phase-wise construction of dedicated non-motorable walkways for ecotourism and low-impact visitor access around the lake.

  • Wular Walkway (Banyari – 4 km).
  • Walkway at S.K. Payeen (1.9 km).
  • Cycle Track at Watlab.

 

 

CURRENT YEAR

 

The focus areas of Wular Conservation Project for the current financial year is as under:

  1. Boundary Protection: Earthen embankments are raised and mesh-wire fencing is constructed to protect vulnerable areas in 10 Km of periphery of Wular boundary. Drone survey is underway to generate ortho-images of Wular boundary to monitor status of boundary.
  2. Habitat Restoration: De-siltation is carried out to remove accumulated silt in 0.5 sqkm area of Wular lake to restore the lake’s depth, improve water flow, and enhance its capacity to support aquatic life on western shore through Mechanical Engineering Wing of Irrigation & Flood Control Department.
  3. Removal of Invasive Species: Around 13,219 Willows shall be removed from Wular lake through auction to control willow tree growth, which has encroached upon the lake’s area and disrupted its natural ecosystem.
  4. Ecotourism Development: Major infrastructure initiatives for eco-tourism development have been taken up which include construction of aerators, Eco-parks, Ghats, Cycle tracks and Walkways. An eco-friendly walkway of length 3 km is under construction at Banyari. Another Walkway of 1.9 km at S.K Payeen and a cycle Track at Watlab are in the pipe line.
  5. Biodiversity Conservation: Different studies involving ringing, research and monitoring of avifauna migration, micro-watershed analysis, fish ichthyology and water hydrology are carried out through Wildlife Institute of India, NIH Roorkee, SKUAST etc.

 

 

Officers and Contact Information

 

Office: Wular Conservation and Management Authority (WUCMA)

Forest Complex, Rajbagh, Srinagar, Kashmir,

Jammu and Kashmir – 190001 near Silk Factory.

 

Officers:

 

  • Project Director / CEO, WUCMA

 

  • Coordinator Water Management, WUCMA

 

  • Project Coordinator CAT (Biodiversity & Livelihood) WUCMA

 

  • Engineering Wing
    • SE
    • AEE/AE
    • JE
    • Draftsman

 

  • Ministerial Staff

 

  • Forest Field Staff(Forest/FPF)

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