Editorial photo #13555034 Environmental Issue
CAG Finds Nearly Half Of Jammu And Kashmir’s Lakes Have Vanished Since 1967
Kashmiri men extract sand as heaps of garbage are visible at a dumping yard on the banks of the Jhelum River in Baramulla, Jammu and Kashmir, India, on April 9, 2026. The disposal of garbage on riverbanks is contributing to water pollution, affecting aquatic life. Freshwater lakes in Jammu and Kashmir, including Dal, Wular, and the Jhelum River, face ecological challenges due to untreated sewage, solid waste dumping, and high pollutant levels, with over 74% of 697 lakes either disappearing or shrinking. (Photo by Nasir Kachroo/NurPhoto)
