monitoring of wular lake and its immediate catchment area...
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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: [email protected].
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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 .