Photos: Fisherwomen around Kashmir lake fear losing livelihood
Al JazeeraBandipora, Indian-administered Kashmir – Surrounded by the majestic Himalayas, Lake Wullar in Indian-administered Kashmir’s Bandipora district is one of Asia’s largest freshwater lakes. The lake that produces varieties of fish, water chestnuts and fodder besides serving as a habitat for migratory waterbirds, provides livelihood to nearly 32,000 households in the 40 villages surrounding it for generations. But they have reasons to worry now as the lake’s condition deteriorates steadily due to growing pollution in the area, causing many varieties of fish to disappear. Many complain of various ailments, including mouth ulcers, blistering, fungal infections and body ache due to long hours of fishing in the lake. A 2018 study by Agro Economist, an international science journal, said in the last 100 years, the lake has shrunk by 45 percent from 157.74 square kilometres in 1911 to 86.71 square kilometres in 2007.
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