There is no denying the fact that apart from other reasons, mainly human neglect, exploiting and violating, primarily climatic changes are the reasons of shrinking or lessening in size of lakes. In simpler parlance, we may cite the chief reason as the draught or insufficient inflow into the lakes which reduces the water levels hence the area around , then starts drying up slowly. With this process, the ground water reserves also get impacted. If reports of World Preservation Foundation are to be believed , it is a phenomenon world over threatening most of the lakes to completely dry up in the coming years . Talking about our own Jammu and Kashmir, world famous Wular and Dal Lakes in Kashmir valley have shrunk to an alarming proportion besides being polluted and over exploited. Take the case of the famous and historical lake Surinsar in Jammu province, it is diminishing in size and often used to dump garbage thus polluting its waters which hastens the process of narrowing down due to natural factors. Not striking a pessimist note though but with intent to take stock of those measures that the people and the Government of Jammu and Kashmir in tandem take to save these priceless gifts of benevolent nature, there is no doubt that very little is being done. Surinsar Lake, just 42 Kilometres far from Jammu, with all the beautiful natural landscape provides not only a feast to the eyes but gives a unique peace, calming and soothing to mind. One away from the urban cities’ hustle bustle, noise, pollution and the like finds one at once in the lap of nature. One can find varieties of water birds and fowls , tortoise , fish and the like. Religious connotations and connections namely number of ancient temples around the Lake make the water body occupy a special niche in the visitor’s and beholder’s psyche. Surinsar Lake has one peculiarity that of being rain-fed lake with no permanent discharge and this should have slowed down the process of shrinking due to climatic and other changes . The two lakes viz; Surinsar and Mansar attract a good number of water fowls and birds during winter season . The UT of Jammu and Kashmir having a large number of wetlands comprise four such wetlands which are of international importance and Surinsar is one of them hence a pride and a natural gift. Since wetlands are places of increased human intervention and exploitation, it is imperative that a broader understanding among various stakeholders be in place – all to ensure that the wetland – Lake was not milked beyond its capacity. That speaks for the need of a well devised “Management Plan” for the preserving of this lake. By that plan , unwarranted interference and intervention could be pre-empted and vastly minimised. That each state/UT should have a Wetland Authority as per the guidelines of the Union Ministry of Environment and Ecology only shows the need to preserve and conserve these wetlands strictly in tune with Ramsar Treaty of 1971 . We, in Jammu and Kashmir too have such an Authority appointed in late 2020 with 18 members but no technical experts which would have taken care of management plans related to technical issues in respect of Surnisar -Mansar twin Lakes . However, we reiterate that the Lake needs proper management and riddance of various types of violations of its sanctity and grandeur. Stray animals having uncontrolled access to the lake, poorly maintained park, different Nallahs outlets into the lake, absence of Solid Waste Treatment Plant, absence of a Master Plan and numerous problems are having an adverse impact on the Lake which all needs proper and pointed attention of all concerned. Similarly, for visitors , lot of deficiencies in the facilities for them are not looked into . In other words, infrastructural and innovative initiatives need to be taken under a well devised Master Plan to improve the overall condition and the ”health” of this historic and important Lake. Let us learn to preserve and sustain our natural boons and explore them optimally for tourism and related economic activities too.
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