Jammu Tawi, Apr 16: The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has raised serious concerns over large-scale encroachment and ecological degradation of Hokersar Lake, warning that the wetland is rapidly deteriorating and risks losing its “pristine glory.”
In its report on lake conservation in Jammu and Kashmir for 2023-24, the CAG criticised authorities for failing to effectively protect and manage the ecologically significant wetland, citing pollution, encroachment and lack of scientific planning as key factors behind its decline.
The report revealed that around 2,528.10 kanals of the lake area have been encroached upon for construction, plantations and agriculture. Despite issuing notices, authorities have failed to evict encroachers. It attributed the problem largely to the absence of proper survey and demarcation.
The CAG noted that lack of a comprehensive conservation and management plan has led to major land-use changes and deterioration in the lake’s health. It also highlighted failure to identify pollution sources, prevent silt inflow, and undertake adequate dredging.
Between 2014 and 2020, the open water area of the lake decreased by seven per cent. At the same time, scrub area increased by over 1,100 per cent, siltation by 104 per cent, built-up area by 102 per cent and aquatic vegetation by 42 per cent. These changes were attributed to human pressures and inflow of untreated sewage.
The report further pointed out that no long-term conservation plan has been prepared, with the Wildlife Protection Department relying on annual plans that fail to address core issues such as hydrological changes, pollution and biodiversity loss.
Satellite imagery analysis from 2005 to 2022 showed a significant rise in built-up areas in catchments like Haji Bagh, Soibug and HMT (Zainakot), which lack sewage treatment facilities. These areas continue to discharge waste into the lake, worsening pollution levels.
Flood management infrastructure was also found inadequate. The capacity of the flood spill channel at Padshahi Bagh has reduced from 17,000 to 6,000 cusecs due to siltation and debris. Though Rs 46.29 crore was spent between 2018 and 2022, key components such as hydraulic gates, silt retention basins and sewage treatment plants were not completed.
The audit also flagged lack of scientific basis in conservation activities like de-weeding and dredging, with no proper surveys or impact assessments conducted.
The CAG recommended urgent identification and treatment of pollution sources, scientific dredging to restore open water areas, and comprehensive demarcation to reclaim encroached land. It also stressed the need for a holistic conservation plan addressing hydrology, biodiversity and pollution.
Hokersar Lake, located in Srinagar and Budgam districts, is fed by the Doodhganga stream and Sukhnag Nallah. Notified in 1945, it was later declared a Conservation Reserve under the Jammu and Kashmir Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1978.
