Ecological shifts reported in Dal Lake and Ladakh water management

A recent survey of Dal Lake has revealed a significant decline in native fish diversity. Researchers from Government Degree College Bemina and Government Degree College Uttersoo reported that only eight fish species were recorded during a six-month study conducted between January and June 2025, a notable drop from the more than 14 species identified in previous studies.

The decline is attributed to several environmental pressures, including untreated sewage, agricultural runoff, eutrophication, overfishing, and the loss of breeding grounds. The study also highlighted concerns regarding the presence of the invasive predatory alligator gar, which may threaten native Schizothorax species.

In a separate ecological development in Ladakh, the Spituk Farka reservoirs under Project Him Sarovar have been filled with glacier meltwater in a record five months. The four large ponds, which together store approximately 2.4 crore litres of water, are designed to irrigate nearly 1,000 acres of farmland. This initiative uses gravity-based engineering to divert seasonal flows from the Stok Glacier stream into the Igoo-Phey Canal, aiming to enhance long-term water security in the region.