Four J&K MLAs visit Wular lake, pledge support to fisher community, environmental conservation

By Shamim Ahmed*

In a historic meeting that highlighted both environmental and social concerns, four Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) visited Wular Lake to meet with the fisherfolk community, signaling a significant step in addressing their longstanding issues. This gathering, organized with the support of dedicated advocates, marks a strengthening of efforts to both safeguard the lake’s ecosystem and support the community’s welfare.

This event was made possible by the hard work and planning of Naseer Ahmed Dar, Ghulam Hassan Bhat, Bashir Ahmed, and Farooq Ahmed Dar, who organized the meeting. In attendance were Nizam-u-din Bhat (MLA Bandipora), Hilal Akbar Lone (MLA Sonawari), Irshad Ahmad Kar (MLA Sopore), and Adv. Irfan Hafeez Lone (MLA Wagoora-Kreeri), each of whom pledged support to the fisherfolk community and the lake's conservation efforts.

The event opened with a welcome from Ghulam Hassan Bhat, President of the Wular Fisherfolk Union, accompanied by environmentalist and climate justice advocate Dr. Shaikh Ghulam Rasool. Naseer Ahmed Dar led discussions, shedding light on the challenges faced by the community, which relies entirely on Wular Lake for their livelihoods, including fishing and water chestnut harvesting.

In his keynote address, Dr. Rasool emphasized the community’s fundamental rights to access resources and called for fair tax policies to ensure the sustainable management of the lake. Expressing concerns about environmental degradation, he highlighted the impact of pollution and questioned the effectiveness of funds allocated to Wular’s conservation. Dr. Rasool also acknowledged the advocacy efforts of former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, whose legislative reforms, such as the RTI Act of 2009 and Public Service Guarantee Act of 2012, have been pivotal in improving local governance.

Each MLA pledged to prioritize the rights and needs of the fisherfolk community. Nizam-u-din Bhat stressed the importance of securing land rights and ensuring access to resources essential for the community’s sustainable livelihoods. Hilal Akbar Lone echoed this sentiment, advocating for reforms to recognize the community’s rightful claims to Wular’s resources and calling for greater accountability from the Wular Conservation and Management Authority (WUCMA).

Irshad Ahmad Kar emphasized the need for WUCMA to improve transparency in managing funds, ensuring that both the lake’s ecosystem and fisherfolk benefit. Adv. Irfan Hafeez Lone pledged to support sustainable tourism that respects traditional livelihoods. He highlighted his past success in securing land for housing for fisherfolk families, providing them with much-needed stability near the lake.

The visit also underscored the critical ecological losses that Wular Lake has sustained, with the lake shrinking drastically from 269 square kilometers to 149 square kilometers. Notably, the fisheries department reported a decline in fish species, from 63 historically to just 13 today. Key ecological elements, such as the lotus stem, have vanished since the 2014 floods, and iconic species like the Euro-Asian Otter are no longer present.

The landmark visit concluded with renewed commitment from both the MLAs and the community to work together toward sustainable solutions that protect Wular Lake’s environment and secure the fisherfolk’s livelihoods. The Wular Fisherfolk Union expressed gratitude to all participants for their dedication and support.

---

*Wular Fisherfolk Community

Comments

From plagiarism to proxy exams: Galgotias and systemic failure in education

By Sandeep Pandey* Shock is being expressed at Galgotias University being found presenting a Chinese-made robotic dog and a South Korean-made soccer-playing drone as its own creations at the recently held India AI Impact Summit 2026, a global event in New Delhi. Earlier, a UGC-listed journal had published a paper from the university titled “Corona Virus Killed by Sound Vibrations Produced by Thali or Ghanti: A Potential Hypothesis,” which became the subject of widespread ridicule. Following the robotic dog controversy coming to light, the university has withdrawn the paper. These incidents are symptoms of deeper problems afflicting the Indian education system in general. Galgotias merely bit off more than it could chew.

Farewell to Saleem Samad: A life devoted to fearless journalism

By Nava Thakuria* Heartbreaking news arrived from Dhaka as the vibrant city lost one of its most active and committed citizens with the passing of journalist, author and progressive Bangladeshi national Saleem Samad. A gentleman who always had issues to discuss with anyone, anywhere and at any time, he passed away on 22 February 2026 while undergoing cancer treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. He was 74.

From ancient wisdom to modern nationhood: The Indian story

By Syed Osman Sher South of the Himalayas lies a triangular stretch of land, spreading about 2,000 miles in each direction—a world of rare magic. It has fired the imagination of wanderers, settlers, raiders, traders, conquerors, and colonizers. They entered this country bringing with them new ethnicities, cultures, customs, religions, and languages.

The 'glass cliff' at Galgotias: How a university’s AI crisis became a gendered blame game

By Mohd. Ziyaullah Khan* “She was not aware of the technical origins of the product and in her enthusiasm of being on camera, gave factually incorrect information.” These were the words used in the official press release by Galgotias University following the controversy at the AI Impact Summit in Delhi. The statement came across as defensive, petty, and deeply insensitive.

Conversion laws and national identity: A Jesuit response response to the Hindutva narrative

By Rajiv Shah A recent book, " Luminous Footprints: The Christian Impact on India ", authored by two Jesuit scholars, Dr. Lancy Lobo and Dr. Denzil Fernandes , seeks to counter the current dominant narrative on Indian Christians , which equates evangelisation with conversion, and education, health and the social services provided by Christians as meant to lure -- even force -- vulnerable sections into Christianity.

Sergei Vasilyevich Gerasimov, the artist who survived Stalin's cultural purges

By Harsh Thakor* Sergei Vasilyevich Gerasimov (September 14, 1885 – April 20, 1964) was a Soviet artist, professor, academician, and teacher. His work was posthumously awarded the Lenin Prize, the highest artistic honour of the USSR. His paintings traced the development of socialist realism in the visual arts while retaining qualities drawn from impressionism. Gerasimov reconciled a lyrical approach to nature with the demands of Soviet socialist ideology.

Development vs community: New coal politics and old conflicts in Madhya Pradesh

By Deepmala Patel* The Singrauli region of Madhya Pradesh, often described as “India’s energy capital,” has for decades been a hub of coal mining and thermal power generation. Today, the Dhirouli coal mine project in this district has triggered widespread protests among local communities. In recent years, the project has generated intense controversy, public opposition, and significant legal and social questions. This is not merely a dispute over one mine; it raises a larger question—who pays the price for energy development? Large corporate beneficiaries or the survival of local communities?

Development at what cost? The budget's blind spot for the environment

By Raj Kumar Sinha* The historical ills in the relationship between capital and the environment have now manifested in areas commonly referred to as the "environmental crisis." This includes global warming, the destruction of the ozone layer, the devastation of tropical forests, mass mortality of fish, species extinction, loss of biodiversity, poison seeping into the atmosphere and food, desertification, shrinking water supplies, lack of clean water, and radioactive pollution.

Public money, private profits: Crop insurance scheme as goldmine for corporates

By Vikas Meshram The farmer in India is not merely a food provider; he is the soul of the nation. For centuries, enduring natural calamities and bearing debt generation after generation while remaining loyal to the soil, this community now finds itself trapped in a different kind of crisis. In February 2016, the Modi government launched the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) with the stated objective of freeing farmers from the shackles of debt. It was an ambitious attempt to provide a strong safety net to cultivators repeatedly devastated by excessive rainfall, drought, and hailstorms.

Search This Blog