WUCMA chief says consultancy work nearing completion; locals pin hopes on revival for livelihoods as climate change hits Wular’s water levels
Suhail Khan
Srinagar, April 24 ; The long-pending Tulbul Navigation Project, stalled for over three decades amid Pakistan’s objections under the Indus Waters Treaty and the outbreak of militancy, is once again under active consideration of the government and could see progress soon, a top official said Thursday.
Irfan Rasool Wani, Chief Executive Director of the Wetlands Conservation and Management Authority (WUCMA) and Chief Conservator of Forests (Kashmir), made the remarks during a visit to Wular Lake, where he reviewed ongoing conservation and developmental works.
“The consultancy project going on in Tulbul will be completed soon,” Wani told The Web Story/The Varmul Post, adding that efforts are underway to revive and strengthen ecological as well as infrastructure interventions around the lake.
The Tulbul project, also known as the Wular Barrage, was originally conceived in the 1980s to regulate water flow in the Jhelum River and ensure navigability during lean seasons. Work began in 1984 but was halted in 1989 following Pakistan’s objections under the Indus Waters Treaty and the eruption of militancy in the region.
Earlier, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah informed the Legislative Assembly that the government is working with the Centre to revive the stalled project, expressing hope that work could begin soon. He had noted that the project could not move forward earlier due to restrictions under the treaty, but renewed efforts are now underway.
For communities living around Wular Lake, the project has been a long-standing demand. Locals say it would help maintain water levels, boost fish production, and improve water chestnut (gurd) yield — all key sources of livelihood.
“We have been waiting for this project for years. If it is completed, it will help keep water levels stable and increase fish catch,” Naseer said a local fisherman.
Another resident added, “Our livelihoods depend on the lake. Reviving Tulbul will not only help fishing but also improve gurd production and overall income for people here.”
Wani also flagged environmental challenges, saying the decline in water levels in Wular during spring seasons is increasingly linked to climate change, impacting the lake’s hydrology and biodiversity. Locals had recently reported decreased water levels in the lake, which they said had affected fish catch and their livelihoods.
Officials said conservation measures and eco-restoration works are being carried out in parallel, with a focus on improving the lake’s ecological health while exploring long-term solutions like the Tulbul project.
