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Monitoring Of Wular Lake And Its Immediate Catchment Area Using

Remote Sensing And GIS Under Wular Conservation Project

(Status Report March 2016)

GOVERNMENT OF JAMMU & KASHMIR

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND REMOTE SENSING

SDA COLONY BEMINA SRINAGAR

Email: dirjkers@gmail.com.

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Document Control Sheet

Title of the Project Monitoring Of Wular Lake And Its Immediate

Catchment Area Using Remote Sensing And GIS Under

Wular Conservation Project

Originating Unit Department of Ecology, Environment and Remote Sensing,

Government of Jammu & Kashmir

Sponsoring Agency Wular Conservation & Management Authority

Government of Jammu & Kashmir

Author Dr. Tasneem Keng

Scientist

Department of Ecology Environment and Remote Sensing,

J&K Govt.

Document Type Unrestricted

Project Team Dr Tasneem Keng

Muzaffar Nabi

Ubaid Ullah Ganaie

Aijaz Ahmad Misger

Abstract Monitoring of Wular Lake and Its Immediate Catchment is

aimed to Monitor the Eco Restoration and Conservation

activities like felling of trees, dredging etc in the lake body &

its immediate surrounds. It is also aimed to Monitor the

change in overall Land use/Land cover of the lake and its

catchment area consequent upon the restoration works

undertaken by the concerned agency. The report contains

status of Conservation measures taken Upto Feb-2016

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Background

In recognition of socio economic, biological and hydrological values of the Wular Lake, the

lake was included as a wetland of national importance under the wetland programme of

Ministry of Environment and Forests, GOI for intensive conservation and management

purposes (1986). Subsequently in 1990 it was designated as a wetland of international

importance under the Ramsar Convention. A Comprehensive Management Action Plan on

Wular Lake for 5 years, prepared by Wetlands International – South Asia under an

assignment from the Department of Wildlife Protection, Government of Jammu and

Kashmir. has been sanctioned by the GOI under the 13th

Finance Commission and

subsequently Wular conservation and management authority was established to execute this

project Vide SRO. 314 dated 26th

Sep, 2012 .. In this backdrop the concerned agency has

approached this department to spatially Monitor the Wular Lake and its immediate

catchment area using the high resolution satellite imagery. Pursuant to the directions of

the Administrative Department issued vide it's No FST/Plan-3/2005/11 dated 29-03-

2011,the Revised Management Action plan (RMAP) for Wular lake trimmed down to Rs

120 crores for 4- years (2011-2015) was devised adopting new guide lines of management

planning for Ramsar sites & other wetlands .

Justification for Designation as Ramsar site

In recognition of its biological, hydrological and socio economic values, the lake was

included in 1986 as a wetland of National Importance under the Wetlands Programme of the

Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India for intensive conservation and

management purposes. Subsequently in 1990, it was designated as a wetland of International

importance under the Ramsar Convention.

1. The lake acts as a huge absorption basin for flood waters and regulates the Wular

regime of the region.

2. The lake is a suitable wintering site for a number of migratory water fowl species

such as the common teal, Pintail, Shovellar, Common porchard, mallard and others.

3. It is an important habitat for fish and contributes about 60 percent of the fish yield of

the Kashmir valley.

4. The lake sustains a number of endangered and endemic species of flora and fauna.

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OBJECTIVES

1. To Monitor the Eco Restoration and Conservation activities like felling of trees,

dredging etc in the lake body & its immediate surrounds.

2. Monitor the change in overall Land use/Land cover of the lake and its catchment

area consequent upon the restoration works undertaken by the concerned agency.

MONITORING METHODOLOGY

1. Requisite temporal Resourecesat-2 images have been procured and interpreted to

monitor the land use/ land cover within the Wular lake and its immediate catchment

area.

2. A monitoring mechanism has been devised to monitor the various activities under

taken by implementing Agency( WUCMA) under the conservation project . High

resolution satellite data ( World view 2 & Cartosat1/2) before & after interventions

has been procured for the specific areas/sites after recording the geo co ordinates of

those areas where conservation activities are being executed. The images are

interpreted are resultant maps prepared .

3. The mapping is substantiated by limited ground checks and field photos.

The data regarding the activities under taken has been provided by WUCMA.

Dataset Used :

SOI Toposheet1969

World View 2 , Nov 2011

Liss IV + PAN merged -Oct-Nov 2013

Cartosat 1 , Sept 2013

Landsat 8 Aug-2104,Sep 2014

Project Area

Wular Lake is one of the largest fresh water lakes of Asia. It plays a significant role in

the hydrographic system of Kashmir valley and act as a huge absorption basin for the annual

flood waters. It has a great historical, ecological, economic and aesthetic value,

unfortunately, the lake surface is shrinking due to the encroachments for the agricultural and

habitation purposes. The lake receives a large quantities of organic and inorganic material

from the point and non-point sources. Wular with its extensive surrounding marshes is the

natural habitat for wild life. It is also an important fish resource accounting for about 60% of

the total fish production in the state. It is the source of sustenance for a huge chunk of human

population living along its fringes. On the basis of its high biological, hydrological and socio-

economic value, the lake has been declared as a wetland of national importance under the

wetlands programme of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India in

1986 and has been subsequently declared as Ramsar Site in 1990 to give it the status of

wetland of International importance.

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The lake is situated at a distance of about 50 kms from Srinagar at an average altitude of

1570m amsl. It lies between 34° 17` 45″ to 34° 25` 30″ N latitude and74° 31` to 74° 40` 15″

E longitude. The lake is balloon shaped with a maximum length of 16 kms and breadth of 7.6

kms with an average depth of 5.8m. In the north and east the lake is surrounded by high

mountain ranges which are fairly dense conifer forests and pastures.

The river Jhelum enters the lake in the south and leaves it from west. The Madumati and Erin

Nalla flow into the lake from eastern side. The river deposits large quantities of sediments in

it. The lake has a very regular out line, which is quite picturesque and pleasing it. Besides

Jhelum which passes through the lake, the lake is directly fed by a number of inlets which

are.

1. River Jehlum

2. Erin Nallah

3. Madumati

4. NingliNallah

5. AshtengoNallah

6. BatengoNallah

7. KinhimNallah

8. Patshai

9. AjasNallah

10. HoritorNallah

The only out flow from the lake is Jhelum River flowing through Sopore to Baramulla. It is

presumed that there are some springs in lake itself. An accumulation of sediments transported

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by different streams and empty itself into Wular Lake, has resulted in siltation of this lake,

which has affected the ecology of lake and shrinkage of this famous lake.

As per directory of Wetlands in India (MOEF) the area of the lake has been shown

189 sq km, whereas the area as per the Survey of India Maps of 1978 the lake area is shown

as 58.7 sq km during lean period. However the lake area appears empirically 173 sq kms

during peak flow as per the highest flood level of 1579 m recorded by Irrigation and flood

control Department, Kashmir in the same year. As per the revenue records the area of the lake

is shown to be 130 sq.kms .

Among the main settlements/villages situated along the shoreline, the important ones

are Sopore and Bandipora towns .The other villages include Ashtungu, Magnipore,

Pathushahi, Watapora, Qazipora and Kalusa in the north Nusu, Wejhra, Gurur, Saderkot

payeen and Ajas in the east. Sadunara, Madwun, khusharpora, Shahgund, Haritar and Tarzu

in the south and Janwara, Watlab, Kinhus and Kanibati in the west. Most of the population of

these villages is directly or indirectly dependent for their sustenance on the lake resources.

Lack of understanding of the values & functions of the lake & its associated wetlands have

led to the conversion of large area for agriculture, settlements, plantations & other

developmental activities.

Lake Biology

The lake is rich in the flora and fauna.

Macrophytes: Wular is fairly dense with different macrophytic species which can be

categorized in three vegetation zones.

1. Emergent.

2. Leaf type rooted/floating.

3. Submergent.

Each zone is characterized by a specific type of life form associated in a distinctive

assemblage of plant species and the extent and occurrence of every species is closely related

to the variation in water depth, temperature and other physico-chemical parameters.

Plankton: 82 species of phytoplankton have been reported in the lake of which 53 species

belong to Bacillariophyceae, 21 chlorophyceae, 5 cyanophyceae 2 euglenophyceae and

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1chrysophyceae. Besides 50 species of zooplankton of which 37 belong to Rotifera 9 to

Cladocera and 4 to Copepods have been reported from the lake.

Fish Fauna: The Lake is an important fish habitat and contributes about 60% of the fish

yield of Kashmir. The important fish species include Cyprinus carpeo, Barbus cinchonius,

Gambusia affinis, Nemachilus sps, Crosschelius latius, Schixothrax curvifernous etc.

Avi Fauna: The Lake is the abode of a huge variety of avifauna most of which are migratory.

The important avifaunas which are regular visitors to the lake include:

1. Terrestrial birds: Sparrow Hawk, Chukar Partridge, Alpine Swift, Himalayan

Golden Eagle , Short Toed Eagle, Blue Rock Pigeon, Cuckoo Etc.

2. Migratory waterfowl: Pin Tail, Shoveller, Common Teal, Brahmini Duck And

Common Pochard Etc.

3. Resident birds: white-breasted water hen, coot, Indian moorhen and lapwing.

Socio-Economic Values

Wular Lake plays a significant role in the area especially with regard to its ecological

and economic spheres. It provides sustenance to thousands of people living in and around the

lake, as more than eight thousand fishermen reportedly earn their livelihood from this lake.

In addition a huge chunk of population is dependent on the lake for fodder. People also earn

sustenance by harvesting Trapa and Nelumbo from the lake. The lake is also one of the

important tourist attraction sites of Kashmir valley.

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Components & Proposed Activities For Management Interventions as

Per Revised Management Action Plan

Adopting New Guidelines of management planning for Ramsar site and other wetlands,

the management planning framework developed seeks a balance between ecosystem

conservation and livelihood security to the communities. It also seeks to ensure planning

and implementation through an effective institutional mechanism to harmonize planning

at various levels with participation of all concerned stakeholders to achieve the

objectives of integrated conservation and wise use. Overall there are five components

focused on

1. Land and water resources management,

2. Biodiversity conservation,

3. Ecotourism development,

4. Livelihood improvement and

5 . Institutional development.

Specific projects have been developed for each components and implementation

mechanisms have been clearly defined to achieve the management objectives as identified

under the action plan. Overall project duration is four years. Prioritization of activities

has been also carried out based on analysis of key issues and mitigation of problems for

regeneration of the lake ecosystem providing ecological, social and economic benefits.

Land and Water Management

Catchment Conservation:

1. Identification and prioritization of critical micro-watersheds based on

assessment of land use, land cover and slope characteristics.

2. Suggest measures for treatment of prioritized micro-watersheds to control soil

erosion and regulate flow regimes through biological, limited engineering and

other appropriate measures.

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3. Propose measures for management of high altitude pastures to control soil

erosion.

4. Identify alternate sources of energy to reduce pressure on forests.

Integrated Water Management

1) Propose measures for enhancement of water holding capacity of the lake based on

assessment of water and sediment balance.

2) Develop strategies for rejuvenation of existing wetlands within floodplains of

Wular to mitigate floods.

3) Develop action plan for restoration of area under willow plantation and other

encroachments.

4) Suggest measures for improvisation of water quality through provision and

adequate sanitary facilities, solid waste management, sewerage treatment including

use of wetland mediated techniques.

5) Formulate water management plan considering human and ecological demands.

Institutional Development and Capacity Building

1. Propose an institutional mechanism for rationalizing and harmonizing planning and

management practices to achieve integrated conservation and management of the

lake.

2. Develop and effective monitoring and evaluation framework to ensure integrated

conservation of the lake and livelihood improvement of dependent communities.

3. Develop an action plan for communication, education and public awareness on values

and functions of the lake and need for its conservation and sustainable use

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Maps Prepared & Submitted To Wular Conservation And

Management Authority Under The Project :

1. A map of Wular Lake depicting the demarcated boundary with reference to data

supplied in the form of Geo Coordinates has being prepared and submitted to OWD

Wular Conservation and Management Project. A joint field survey of the demarcation

area was conducted with representatives of demarcation division to rectify the

discrepancies of some Geo Coordinates while plotting the same in the Geo Database.

2. Land use/Landover map of the Lake and its immediate catchment area on 1:50,000

scale for the zero year of the Project

3. Land use/Land cover maps within Wular Lake using high resolution datasets of 2011

& 2013 depicting changes have been prepared and submitted to OWD Wular.

4. Map showing Status of conservation works under taken within water body ,using

data set of 2013.

5. Map showing Location of ongoing restoration works under Catchment Area

Treatment and Water management submitted to OWD Wular .

6. The change detection map of Haigam Wetland using data sets of 2011 & 2013 has

been prepared.

7. The change detection map of immediate surrounds of the lake and its satellite

wetlands using 2011 ,2013 data sets is under progress . Field Survey / Ground truth

verification of the study area has been conducted from time to time in this regard .

8. The high resolution data (World view & Cartosat 1/ ) for the year 2013 has been

procured from NDC, NRSC, Hyderabad & the interpretation process is under

progress.

9. Map showing pre & post flood Status of the lake has been prepared.

10. An order has been placed for 2014 data set.

11. Map showing Status of conservation works under taken within water body under

water holding capacity till September 2015

12. Works executed from March-2015_Sept 2015 under Water Management.

13. Status of Dredging Blocks undertaken for Enrichment of Water Holding Capacity as

on 21st Sept 2014.

14. Status of removal of willow plantations and stumps up to September 2015

15. Map showing Location of Village Kanyari Pre & Post Floods September 2014 submitted on

24-02-16

16.

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Status Of Implementation & Achievements By Wular Conservation and

Management Authority (WUCMA) 2011-2016

Land And Water Management

Survey & demarcation Mapping And Ground Truthing

A 1: 10000 scale mapping of the project using a sequence of high resolution images has been

carried out. The map so obtained has been updated using extensive ground truthing and

community consultations. Mapping of different activities under taken for eco restoration &

conservation of the Lake has been done using high resolution satellite data of different

years ( before & after intervention) These maps would form the basis for management

zoning as well as monitoring changes in lake ecosystem. Activities carried out include:

Procurement of satellite imageries from National Remote Sensing Centre ,Hyderabad

Rectification & Geo processing of the imageries and preparation of base layer series

. Ground truthing and map validation ( The Monitoring & Mapping Is being carried out by

Department of Ecology ,Environment & Remote Sensing , J&K Govt.)

Boundary Demarcation

Lake boundary demarcation based on revenue records was carried out using concrete

cemented pillars of 2 m length laid at a distance of 30 m apart . A total no. of 1159 pillars

were erected along the demarcated boundary of the lake.

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S.No Class_name Area in 2011 Area in 2013

1 Agriculture 78.68 75.54

2 Aquatic Vegetation 8128.79 6120.81

3 Built-up 16.82 17.06

4 Pasture 53.69 50.90

5 Silt 629.15 686.09

6 Vegetation 2124.09 1930.30

7 Water 2263.97 4414.50

Total Area in Hac 13295.20 13295.2

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S.No Class_Name Area In 2011 Area In 2013

1 Agriculture 10916.34 10649.23

2 Aquatic Vegetation 6608.76 5701.75

3 Builtup 1922.25 1926

4 Dense Forest 6058 6058

5 Forest Blank 325.93 325.93

6 Horticulture 6531.38 6791.96

7 Marshy Area 2563.72 1800.8

8 Open Forest 640.33 640.33

9 Plantation 3497.95 3475.9

10 Scrub 5209.19 5208.67

11 Silted Area 736.06 366.36

12 Vacant 492.87 456.35

13 Water 2623.13 4724.63

Total Area in Ha 48125.91 48125.91

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Change Detection Map of Wular lake within Boundary Limits

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CATCHMENT AREA TREATMENT

The Area of direct catchment of the lake is 1144 sq. Kms Comprising of 109 Micro

watersheds Based on the assessment of catchment features, 7,436 ha under 24

micro watersheds comprising of an area of 7446 Ha have been prioritized for treatment of

which afforestation is proposed to be carried out in 3,718 ha and aided regeneration in 2,789

ha. DPRs for 21 micro watersheds comprising an area of 6473 Ha. have been prepared

out of which 18 dprs have been approved and are under implementation

1)Doodnar 2)Bazipora 3)Matipora 4)Brar 5)Gund Rampur 6)Sumlar 7)Kudara 8)Dardpora

9)Shamthan 10)Malangam-1st 11)Halmatpora 12)Chechnar 13)Malangam 2

nd 14)Mantrigam

15) Bankot 16)Lashkot 17)Ayatmullah 18)Pannar

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Priority Areas for Catchment Treatment

Watershed Priority Area Area to be Afforestation Aided Microwatershed treated(ha) (ha) regeneration (ha)

Erin e2c7 548 300 150 113

e2c6 849 210 105 79

e1c6 958 490 245 184

e1b7 714 267 134 100

e2a4 828 325 163 122

e1c4 294 150 75 56

e1b6 897 210 105 79

e2a1 423 150 75 56

8 5511 2102 1051 788

Madhumati m2a2 808 304 152 114

m2a10 324 193 97 72

m2a11 893 432 216 162

m2a12 739 358 179 134

m1a6 691 411 206 154

5 3455 1698 849 637

Wular 1 w1a2 618 391 196 147

Watershed

Priority Area

Area to be

Afforestation Aided regeneration Microwatershed trea

ted(ha)

(ha) (ha) m2b1 892 313 157 117 m1a3 892 327 164 123 m1b4 614 388 194 146 w1b1 911 304 152 114 w2a1 752 200 100 75 w2b1 648 200 100 75 7 532

7 2123

1062 796 Wular 2 oa1b 732 417 209 156 ob1b3 852 393 197 147 ob2c 561 382 191 143 oa2c 418 321 161 120 4 256

3 1513

757 567

1 Treatment of degraded watersheds:

Treatment of degraded watersheds was carried through the following mix of

biological and small scale engineering measures

Afforestation works which includes Plantation & Preparatory Operation

1. There has been no target for carrying out plantations on forest area under

"Afforestation" Component for the 1st two years. Plantations have been undertaken

during 2014-15 only. 191000 conifer plants and 140000 broad leaved plants have

been planted ending March-2015 over an area of 507 Ha.

2. Target of closing 1131 Ha forest area under "Preparatory Operation" Component with

appropriate fencing , has been achieved in full ending March-2015.

Aided Regeneration

A target of regenerating 1550 ha ( 550 in 1st yr & 1000 in 2

nd yr) was set .

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Small Scale Engineering Works

Small-scale engineering measures will be taken up Under "Small Scale Engineering

Works" aiming at immediate control of soil erosion, landslides and arrest flow of silt from

critical micro watersheds ,improving the soil and moisture conservation in catchment area

47110 cum of Dry Rubble Stone Masonry check dams and 32922 cums of crate wire bunds

(5065 No’s) were raised ending March-2015.

121400 No. of earthen bags were used for raising check dams across eroded gullies.

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Conservation Works Executed

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Management Of High Altitude Pastures

a) Regeneration of degraded pastures

Regeneration of pasture lands having moderate to high erosion was proposed to be

undertaken through following measures : 1. Fodder and forage plantation This would include closure of the area and

plantation with forage and fodder species (including Poa pracense, Prestina

ovina, Trifolium repense in higher reaches and Trifilium pretense and Lotus

conicultaus in the lower reaches)

2. Small scale engineering measures to augment the soil conservation

measures by raising:

1. Check dams in 40 ha ( 20 ha each under DRSM and Crate wire dams)

2. Vegetative spurs in 500 ha

3. Stream bank protection spurs in 100 ha

4. Gully plugging in 500 ha

b) Grazing management

Management of grazing is central to regeneration of the degraded pastures. The following interventions were proposed for management of grazing:

1. Silvipasture : Silvipasture , based on integration of Rubinia, poplars and Ash trees

within the pasture lands is proposed to be undertaken of pasture lands, presently

with moderate erosion.

2. On farm fodder management: Fodder crops would be introduced in crop

rotation to boost fodder production, and promote stall feeding. .

3. Veterinary health support : Veterinary health support was proposed to be

undertaken to promote cattle productivity and optimize resources. Major activities

to be undertaken are breed improvement and health support through mobile

dispensaries.

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Management of Horticulture And Dry Land Agriculture

1. Promotion of sustainable Horticulture Practices

Horticulture Plants : Horticulture within rain fed conditions in Wular catchment

bears very low production as well as promotes soil erosion due to cultivation

practices. It was therefore envisaged to demonstrate sustainable horticulture practices,

71240 plants of Apple, Pear & Walnut were distributed amongst beneficiaries in 18

No of Micro watersheds covering an area of 150 Hacs.

2. Promotion of Agro-forestry

The present system of hill agriculture, which involves ploughing across contours

promotes soil erosion. Annual cultivation of crops also clears all vegetation enhancing

soil loss. Therefore agro forestry was proposed to be promoted. 39000 Poplar plants

in 18 No of Micro watersheds distributed covering an area of 100 Hacs. for

promotion of Agro-forestry.

3. Improved Management of Home Stead's

3600 No’s Vegetable Seed Kits were distributed to the households along with

technical inputs on raising their nurseries and maintenance of crops. in

18 Micro watersheds.

Alternate Source of Energy

746 solar lights were Distributed in un-electrified villages in 4 Micro watersheds .

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Water Management

Enhancement of Water Holding Capacity:

Removal of willow plantations: The felling /extraction /removal of trees in Banyari area

was executed in 6 defined compartments of Bandipora Forest Division. A total number of

28274 tress were targeted to be extracted out of which 26488 were removed by By Forest Div.

Bandipore and 3797 were extracted by Rakhs and Farms and 1108 by WUCMA.)

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Selective dredging of silted lake areas: Water holding capacity of the lake has

been critically affected by siltation, which has been aggravated by willow plantations

within the lake periphery. Mechanical dredging was carried out in these areas for

enhancement of lake capacity. The areas dredged were broadly classified into three

categories ;

1. Areas presently under willow plantation which may be dredged to an average

depth of 1.5 meters

2. Critically silted areas along the shorelines of Wular to be dredged to a depth

of0.75 meters, and

3. Waterways and watercourses to facilitate better water circulation

23 dredging blocks were prioritized for carrying out the mechanical dredging

the works have been executed in 9 dredging blocks till March 2015.whereas 2 more

dredging block(24,25) and phase two of Naaz Nallah were taken up in November 2015

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Rejuvenation of associated wetlands

1. Hydraulic connectivity of marshes with Jhelum / Wular Lake

It is envisaged to improve the hydrological connectivity of the existing

marshes through improvement of major surface courses of the marshes (Haritar

Nallah for Rakh Haigam and Naz Nallah for Rakh Ajas and Rakh Malgam) and

catchment drainages (Bod Nar, Rang Nar, Gujjar Nar, Dud Nar) based on

detailed assessment of hydrological exchange patterns.

The dredging of Naz nallah has been taken under this component .

Water quality improvement

15 % of 21,516 households residing in the 44 villages situated on Wular

periphery

towards north and eastern sides have access to adequate sanitation facilities. It is

therefore proposed that sewage generated from rest of the villages without sanitation

facilities and scattered in the Madhumati and Erin catchment area shall be intercepted using

low cost sanitation units as per WHO design comprising of twin leaching pits with pour

flush latrine.

5 units of low cost sanitation facilities in peripheral villages viz Putushai ,Laharwalpora

,Bakshibal, Saderkot pain & Ningli ghat were constructed.

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INSTUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

1. Wular conservation and management authority was established to execute this project

Vide SRO. 314 dated 26th

Sep, 2012

2. An in house monitoring mechanism was built to monitor the progress of the project .