Wular Lake

Wular Lake (also spelt Wullar), India's largest fresh water lake and one of the largest in Asia, is in Bandipora district in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. The lake basin was formed as a result of tectonic activity and is fed by the Jhelum River. The lake's size varies seasonally from 12 to 100 square miles (30 to 260 square kilometers). Boating, water sports and water ski have recently been launched by the Government of India Tourism in collaboration with Kerala Tourism and J&K Tourism. The contract for the operation of the site was awarded in September 2011.

The lake is one of six Indian wetlands designated as a Ramsar site. However it faces environmental threats including the conversion of large parts of the lake's catchment areas into agriculture land, pollution from fertilizers and animal wastes, hunting of waterfowl and migratory birds and weed infestation in the lake itself.

Fish :
Fish from Wular Lake make up a significant part of the diet for many thousands of people living on its shores and elsewhere in the Kashmir Valley. More than eight thousand fishermen earn their livelihood from the lake, primarily fishing for the endemic Schizothorax species and the non-native carp. Their catch comprises about 60 percent of the total yield of fish in Kashmir.

Birds :
The lake sustains a rich population of birds. Terrestrial birds observed around the lake include the Black-eared Kite, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Short-toed Eagle, Himalayan Golden Eagle, Himalayan Monal,Himalayan Woodpecker, Hoopoe, Barn Swallow, Golden Oriole and others.