Freshwater Resources in Jammu and Kashmir :

Nature has bestowed the state with rich freshwater resources especially snow and glaciers. The state is mostly dependent on the water resources which have tremendous impact on statist socio economic development. The state is potential in its water resources as it is origin of major river systems of Indian sub-continent. Besides the state has 1247 fresh water bodies including internationally famous Dal, Wular, Pangong, Tsomoriri.The state is also rich in ground water potential.

River systems :

There is a good network of river system in the state. The Jammu region is drained by river Chenab and Tawi, Kashmir valley by river Jhelum and its tributaries and ladakh region by river Indus, Zanaskar, Suru, Shyok tributaries. All these rivers find their resource mainly from snow and glacier melts runoff from upper Himalayan region. All these rivers are diminishing in annual discharge year after year due to retreat of glaciers and snow line because of increase in temperature and other ecological imbalances which have drastically affected the flow in these river basins. Decreasing discharge has resulted in intricate environmental implications in these river systems and has caused a number of societal concerns particularly with regard to hydroelectric projects, Irrigation network and drinking water.

Ground water :

Ground water is another source of freshwater which occurs beneath the surface and is called subsurface water. Ground water occurs in the form of aquifers which are shallow as well as deep; the shallow ones get recharged from the precipitation but are impacted by human interference while as the deeper ones which contain pure water get hardly recharged that too over a long period. The water table is falling rapidly in many areas of the state due to recession of permanent snow and glaciers.

In addition, contamination of groundwater is also caused due to leaching of stored chemicals, leaking underground storage tanks and use of agricultural chemicals especially, pesticides and open dumping of municipal and industrial waste. Although ground water has not been so far explored and exploited in the state as it should have been but it is felt now necessary to explore and exploit the water resource for drinking irrigation and industrial purposes as the surface water is diminishing year after year. Irrespective of its demand by the locals so that the surface water could be diverted to those areas which are barren or be raft in both these will make the judicious use of water resources for all. Adequate measures should be taken to employ different artificial recharging methods as per prevailing conditions of the area for augmentation purposes which will be one of the ideal ways of water conservation.

Wetlands :

Wetlands are very important for providing various ecological services. They provide habitat to aquatic flora and fauna including numerous species of migratory birds. Some wetlands possess unique ecological characters which qualify them as wetlands of international importance and are declared as Ramsar sites.

J & K is rich in wetlands and water bodies and possess the Asia’s biggest fresh water lake –Wular Lake. Among the most important wetlands Wular, Dal, Hokersar, Manasbal, Haigam are in Kashmir; Mansar, Surinsar in Jammu and Tsomorori, Tsokar, Pangpong in Ladakh. Wetlands are also important as they provide fresh water for agriculture, animal husbandry and domestic use, drainage service and flood absorption basins. Besides providing livelihood to fisher folk and other people who live near these wetlands. Wetlands also comprise an important source of sustainable tourism and recreation. Wetlands face threat from various human activities which include pollution, changing Land use, drainage and over exploitation of lake resources (fish, chest nuts, fodder etc). In order to conserve these wetlands which possess a huge natural resource and play a significant role in local climate a holistic view of these wetlands is necessary in terms of their linkages with other natural entities, human needs and their own attributes.