Arif says the Dal catchments are fast degrading
ECO-FRAGILE ZONES TURNING INTO HUMAN SETTLEMENTS
Arif Shafi Wani (Greater Kashmir)
Srinagar: Unabated constructions, deforestation and other land use changes in the Dal catchments has affected the flow of water into the lake leading to manifold increase in influx of silt and pollutants into the water body.
Experts warn that in absence of sustained catchment preservation measures, the pollution levels of Dal would increase and drastically affect its eco-system.
With catchment area stretching to 337 sq kms, Dal functions as the central part of a large interconnected aquatic ecosystem in Kashmir valley. The lake is fed mainly by Marsar, a glacial oligotrophic alpine lake through two main sub-watersheds Dhara Danihama and Dachigam. However experts say the land use change in the lake catchments has increased pollution regimes of Dal.
A study conducted by Dr. Shakeel Ahmad Romshu, Associate Professor of the University of Kashmir’s Geo-Physics Department, states that there has been decrease in forest area in the Dal catchments due to increase in human settlements particularly from 1991 to 2001.
Romshu said the urbanization or built-up area in the lake’s catchment particularly from Harwan to Boulevard has increased from 9.24 sq Kms in 1992 to 23.9 sq Kms in 2009.
“It is a dangerous trend and if the government wants to save the catchment from further deterioration, it has to ban further constructions in the eco-fragile areas,” Romshu states.
The study states that the water class has been reduced from 14.24 to 12.69 km² in nine years showing a percent reduction of 0.52 percent.
“Dense forests also show reduction by 1.35 percent, which is 3.85 km² by area. This could be attributed to the anthropogenic activities which mainly include deforestation and excessive agriculture over the deforested areas. The 4.05 percent increase in the perennial plantation can be well attributed to the decrease in forest area.”
The study points out that the lake vegetation has been reduced from 13.51 to 6.21 km². This reduction is related to the increase in the perennial plantation over the lakes. Besides the built up area has increased from 2.08 to 3.53 km². It has led to drastic decrease in agriculture land.
Romshu states that due to alterations in land-cover in Dal catchment over the study years, the predicted flow has increased. He states increased impervious surface like barren, built-up and deforested area in 2001 increased the peak flow, compared to 1992.
This increase was about 22.23 percent in the total annual flow from 1992-2001 under changed land use and cover conditions.
“The reduction in the soil cover decreases infiltration and increases runoff, hence leading to increase in the water levels over the receiving body. Increased runoff also causes lake ecology problems due to excess sedimentation. Higher water levels indicate possibilities of severe disasters in the form of floods,” the study warns.
The study recommends that the watershed areas need to be prioritized for conservation to minimize the non-point sources of pollution.
The chairman of Lakes and Waterways Development Authority, Irfan Yaseen, acknowledged deterioration of Dal’s catchment, particularly Dara.
“Due to catchment degradation, Dal is receiving heavy influx of silt and nutrients. Our problem is compounded by coming up of residential colonies in the catchment,” he said.
He said the restoration of catchment was imperative for Dal conservation. “Besides lake conservation, we are simultaneously constructing check dams, retards and going for massive afforestation to restore the catchment. It is a mammoth task but we are committed to accomplish it,” he added.