Like a lost love returning after decades, Wular Lake's 'miraculous' lotus bloom leaves Kashmir teary-eyed

Time of India

15 hours ago

After nearly three decades, the pink lotus flowers have returned to Wular Lake in north Kashmir, bringing joy to both nature lovers and local residents. This revival comes thanks to dedicated conservation efforts after the 1992 floods damaged the lake's ecosystem and buried its famous lotus beds under thick layers of silt.
Wular Lake, one of Asia's largest freshwater lakes, spans 200 square kilometres and stretches from the foothills of the Haramukh mountains in Bandipora to Sopore in Baramulla district. Once known for its rich biodiversity, the lake lost much of its charm after the 1992 floods, which deposited huge amounts of silt and wiped out the lotus plants.
Abdul Hameed, a local resident, called the comeback 'nothing short of a miracle.' He said locals had tried dispersing lotus seeds earlier but they never grew due to the heavy silt. That changed when the Wular Conservation and Management Authority (WUCMA) started a massive desilting drive.
by Taboola
by Taboola
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According to Mudasir Ahmad, zonal officer at WUCMA, last year showed small signs of lotus revival. In 2025, the authority used special machines called Cutter Suction Dredgers to clear silt and improve water quality. This year, they also planted lotus seeds, which led to a fresh bloom covering nearly 3 square kilometres of the lake.
Chief Conservator of Forests, Irfan Rasool, said the return of lotuses proves that the lake's ecological health is improving. Over 80 lakh cubic metres of silt have been removed so far. This not only restored the lake's depth and water-holding capacity but also allowed sunlight to reach the lakebed, helping dormant lotus roots grow again.
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The return of lotus plants has sparked new hope for the local economy. The edible stems of lotus, known as nadru in Kashmir, are a popular delicacy and a major source of income for many families.
'Nadru was missing for many years. Now we can grow and harvest it again,' said Mudasir Ahmad. The harvesting process is labour-intensive and involves diving into the water, but it provided seasonal work to hundreds in the past. Locals are now hopeful that the economy around the lake will thrive again.
The revival of lotus plants is not the only good news. With better water quality and increased depth, the lake has become home to a wider range of aquatic life. WUCMA officials say several rare migratory birds have returned in the past two years. These include species like the Long-tailed Duck, Smew Duck, Great Bittern, Marbled Teal, and even the endangered Pallas's Fish-eagle.
Locals like Hameed are urging people to keep the lake clean and protect its fragile biodiversity. 'We lost this beauty once because of our mistakes. We shouldn't let that happen again,' he said.
As Wular Lake blossoms again with pink lotuses and birdsong, it stands as a reminder of what strong conservation efforts and community support can achieve.
Inputs from PTI