Key Facts about Wular Lake

About Wular Lake

• It is the largest freshwater lake in India.
• It is located in the Bandipore district of Jammu and Kashmir.
• It lies at the north end of the Vale of Kashmir, 20 miles (32 km) north-northwest of Srinagar. 
• It is spread over a total area of 200 square km covering almost 24 km in length and 10 km in breadth. 
• The lake basin was formed as a result of tectonic activity and is fed by the Jhelum River.
• The lake lies at an altitude of 1,580 m.
• It is also said to be a remnant of Satisar Lake, that existed in ancient times. 
• This lake also has a small island in its centre called the ‘Zaina Lank’. This island was constructed by King Zainul-Abi-Din.
• In 1990, it was designated as a Ramsar Site.

Key Facts about Jhelum River

• It is a river that flows in India and Pakistan.
• It is a tributary of the Indus River.
• It is the main waterway of the Kashmir valley.
• Course:
  • Origin: It originates at the Verinag Spring at Anantnag, at the foot of the Pir Panjal range in the Kashmir Valley.
  • It then flows via Srinagar and Wular Lake prior to entering Pakistan.
  • The river makes a deep, narrow gorge on its way to Pakistan.
  • It joins the Chenab River near Trimmu, Pakistan.
• Length: It has a total length of about 725 km (450 mi).
• Major Tributaries: Kishenganga (Neelum) River, Kunhar River, Sandran River, Bringi River, Arapath River, Watlara River, Lidder River, and Veshaw River.

Q1) What is a Ramsar Site?

Ramsar Sites are designated wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. The Ramsar Convention, also known as the Convention on Wetlands, is an international treaty adopted in 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar. Its primary goal is the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands around the world.

Source: 4 lakh migratory birds to arrive at Kashmir’s Wular Lake, 7 new species sighted