Wular Lake, Location, Formation, Significance, Latest News

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Wular Lake Latest News

A carpet of pink and green lotus beds resurfaces in Jammu & Kashmir’s Wular lake after nearly 25 years since the catastrophic 1992 floods.

It is the largest freshwater lake in India and the second largest freshwater lake in Asia.
Location: It is located in the Bandipore district of Jammu and Kashmir.
It is fed by the Jhelum River.
The lake lies at an altitude of 1,580 m on the foothills of Haramuk Mountain.
It is spread over a total area of 200 sq.km., covering almost 24 km in length and 10 km in breadth.
The lake basin was formed as a result of tectonic activity.
It is also said to be a remnant of Satisar Lake that existed in ancient times.
This lake also has a small is land in its centre called the ‘Zaina Lank’. This island was constructed by King Zainul-Abi-Din.
In 1990, it was designated as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention.

The area is important for wintering, staging and breeding birds.
Fauna: Terrestrial birds observed around the lake include the black-eared kite, Eurasian sparrow hawk, short-toed eagle, Himalayan golden eagle, Himalayan monal, etc.
It is an important habitat for fish, accounting for 60 percent of the total fish production within the state.

Source: IE