Wullar is in a pathetic condition. We can’t just yearn forits glory, we need to do something on the ground.
One of the largest fresh and sweet water lake of Asia-TheWular lake, an honour denied on ground, became the victim of administrativeneglect and apathy besides that of onslaught of human greed.
Comparing with the quantum of tourists visiting the man-madelakes of country like one in Ooty, Bimtal, Gobind Sagar, Nikki, Ajmer, Bhopalto name a few speaks about the relegation of the location.
Like running of two types of water into each other in Gulfof Alaska, water of Wular lake flows into Jehlum river: a unique phenomenonremaining unnoticed besides hardly been promoted.
The shrine of Baba Shakur-ud –din, the great Budshahʼs chef dʼoeuvre, andthe Zainageer Canal, make it an ideal confluence of faith, heritage andeconomy. The Zainageer Canal is also the tributary of the river Jehlum. Besidesit irrigates miles of hectares of rice fields and the apple orchards, thebackbone of Sopore economy. It runs through the mountain ranges from its originup to the villages of Zaingair some of which reportedly had been famous picnicspots.
During the Dogra rule people were not allowed to walk on thebanks of canal with shoes. So was the respect and care of the canal. Artificiallakes all over India have become the biggest source of tourist attractions butalas our fresh water lake does not fall even in the periphery.
Thereʼs always a second chance-goes the sayings. The location can be turnedinto a major tourist and religious attraction, particularly forchildren, keeping in view its accessibility from Srinagar (via Sopore to Watlabaround 60 kms, via Bandipora around 70 kms).
Famous chestnuts, lotus root, mulberry, fish in particularcan make it a must visit centre for relishing the cuisine. Promenade around thelake will give it a European look.
Facilitating clubbing of visit of perennial devotees to BabaShukur-u-Din shrine with Wular tourist spots will act as boon for the economyof the area. Gandola from base to the shrine will attract high ended touristsof all ages besides will provide a panoramic view of the lake.
The location with its fauna & floura is ideal for longdeprived Zoo and natural open aviary. Water parks like Water kingdom, Esselworld can be established to have a perfect outings for our children. Anestimate made in this regard shows its smooth realisation. An indoor park witharound 2720 square feet would set one back around $690,000
The lake with its contiguity with river jehlum is perfect forintroducing river cruise akin to one in Hussain Sagar lake in Hyderabad.Facilities of parasailing, water skiing will make it an adventure tourism spotwith adjacent old trekking routes. Exploring idea of restoring the rivertransportation, followed even by the Maharaja, to ease the pressure ondeficient road connectivity does not seem a chimera. Contiguity of the lakewith Jehlum will act as a facilitator.
The lake has an advantage of touching the catchment areas,bunds, bights, foreshores, ghats, river banks along the town of Bandipora (withfamous Mughal garden) & the villages adjacent to famous Manasbal lake (atSadarkote). Launching of latest motor boats can crisscross the lake providingopportunity to tourists to explore the additional tourist places of the areas.Government can facilitate inland waterway development by installing decks,pier, jetty or wharf. Offshore terminals can be thrilling.
The best view of this landslip is from outside & can bebettered through use of Alleppey (Kerala) type houseboats cruising through thebackwaters.
Private concerns can be encouraged with assistance of thegovernment. Security scenario undoubtedly is an important factor for theendeavour & the will of the government will make it realise. Gulmarg,Sonamarg & Pahalgam are cases in point. The government even iscontemplating promoting tourism in inhospitable locations than the traditionalones.
Roping in of Navy or some identical professional wing forsafety of tourists canʼt be wished away. The propositions made above can concurrentlyboost the economy of the neglected areas of Sopore, Bandipora, Manasbal &Zaingair,
I would like to make a small reference of a research work toremind us about what we have lost. Even a desert like Udaipur, experiencingtemperature as high as around 50 degrees, have had maintained the semblance ofhuman dignity. We have left no stone unturned to plunder & make aquaculture, fauna flora extinct. The visibility of water birds has remained awish.
Aquatic avian fauna plays stunning role to balance theaquatic ecosystem. Water birds are not only protuberant individuals whichattract people to wetlands, but are also bio-indicators and useful models forreviewing a range of environmental problems . Udaipur is known as the Lake cityof India and well known for its sparkling-evergreen water bodies. It is one ofthe favorite tourist destination of country among the visitors. Some of theeminence water bodies in and around the city are Fateh Sagar Lake, Udai SagarLake, Pichola Lake, Bari Lake, Swarup Sagar Lake, Menar Lake, Jaisamand Lake,Bhatewer Lake and Vallabhnagar Dam etc. Wetlands are extremely vital areasthroughout the world for wildlife protection, recreation flood prevention andsediment control.
The Wular lake has got squeezed not by natural interventionsbut predominantly by the human malevolence. Whatʼs direly needed is the reclamation of usurped land & property ofthe lake with punitive action. Patronage of a few political families couldtransform meadows, with either scant availability of fresh water orpolluted one, into international tourist destinations. Wular with easyaccessibility & bestowed with natural resources unfortunately remained outof reckoning.
All these steps should be taken so that the beauty will berestored to this lake. Sooner the better.