Manasbal Lake pollution reaches critical levels, threatening drinking water

A report by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has revealed critical levels of pollution in Manasbal Lake in Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, posing significant public health risks to an estimated 50,000 to 60,000 residents in the Ganderbal and Bandipora districts who rely on the lake for drinking water.

Following directions from the National Green Tribunal (NGT), the CPCB conducted water quality tests which found heavy contamination from faecal matter, raw sewage, and solid waste. None of the seven water samples collected met Class B standards; five locations were categorized as Class D, meaning the water is only suitable for wildlife and fisheries. The presence of elevated faecal and total coliform bacteria indicates that the water is unsafe for direct consumption.

The contamination is attributed to the unchecked flow of untreated wastewater from seven neighboring villages through the Lar Canal, as well as municipal waste and plastics dumped near the shores. Environmental activist Raja Muzaffar Bhat, who initiated the petition, has highlighted the long-standing issue of untreated sewage and pesticides degrading the lake's ecology. The National Green Tribunal has deferred further proceedings pending a response from the Jammu and Kashmir Government.