9 months ago
Mass Fish Deaths in Wular Lake Spark Livelihood Concerns
A big lake in Kashmir called Wular Lake, which is home to lots of fish and birds, is having a problem.
Many fish, especially a type called snow trout, are dying.
Fishermen who depend on this lake for their jobs are very worried because their food and money come from catching fish.
They think people are using electric shock devices and illegal nets to catch fish, which hurts the lake.
But, different government groups have different ideas about why the fish are dying.
One group thinks maybe the water is polluted, while another group says the water quality is good.
This disagreement makes it hard to figure out how to fix the problem and help the fishermen.
Large numbers of fish, particularly snow trout, are dying in Kashmir's Wular Lake.
Fishermen report the die-off has been occurring for about 10 days and is impacting their livelihoods.
Fishermen suspect illegal practices like electric shock fishing and the use of gillnets are the cause.
Official explanations differ, with the Fisheries Department suspecting pollution and the Wular Conservation Management Authority ruling it out.
The mass fish deaths threaten the income of over 5,000 registered fishermen and more than 30,000 families relying on the lake.
- Who
- Fishermen in North Kashmir, Fisheries Department, Wular Conservation Management Authority
- What
- Mass deaths of fish, primarily snow trout, in Wular Lake
- Where
- Wular Lake and surrounding areas in North Kashmir (Bandipora and Baramulla districts)
- When
- Over the past 10 days, reported up to November 10, 2025
- Why
- Disputed. Fishermen allege illegal fishing with electric shocks and gillnets. Officials suggest pollution (Fisheries Department) or state it's not pollution (Wular Conservation Management Authority).
Fishermen's View
Official Statements
Cause of Fish Deaths
Fishermen's View
Fishermen blame illegal fishing practices, specifically the use of electric shocks and prohibited gillnets, for the mass fish deaths.
Official Statements
The Fisheries Department suspects pollution as a possible cause, while the Wular Conservation Management Authority has ruled out pollution, citing regular water quality tests that show safe levels.
Key facts
- Location
- Wular Lake, Kashmir
- Date of Reports
- Started approximately 10 days before November 10, 2025
- Affected Species
- Primarily snow trout (Kashir Gaad), but also smaller species
- Number of Fishermen Affected
- Over 5,000 registered fishermen, impacting over 30,000 families
- Lake Description
- India's largest freshwater lake, second largest in Asia; home to 56 bird species, 39 fish species, and over 20 aquatic plants
Quotes
Naseer Ahmad
a fisherman from north Kashmir’s Bandipora area and organiser of Wular Fishermen Association
“We have seen fish dying in areas like Nichyari, Larwalpora, and Zurnimaz in Bandipora, and in several areas of neighbouring Baramulla”
thehindubusinessline.com
“We have seen people using electric rods in several parts of the lake, especially during the night”
thehindubusinessline.com
Ghulam Hassan
a fisherman from Nichyari, a village largely dependent on fishing
“Fishing is our only source of income. If this continues, it will be disastrous for hundreds of families living around the lake”
thehindubusinessline.com
Owais Mir
a senior official with the Wular Conservation Management Authority
“We regularly take the samples and test the water quality, which has been to be safe”
thehindubusinessline.com
