Srinagar, August 25, 2026 — Lotus flowers have reappeared in Wular Lake after being largely absent for nearly three decades, raising hopes of ecological recovery and renewed livelihood opportunities for communities living around the Kashmir wetland.
For local fishermen and residents, the return of the lotus is more than a seasonal sight. The lake once supported families through fishing, harvesting lotus stems, locally known as nadru, and collecting water chestnuts.
According to the Wular Conservation and Management Authority (WUCMA), lotus growth was observed again last year and has continued this year. However, heavy rains and flooding in recent weeks have damaged some of the emerging vegetation. Officials said lotus plants grow in shallow waters and are vulnerable to rising water levels.
The disappearance of lotus has been linked to the accumulation of silt in Wular following major floods in 1992. The sediment altered parts of the lake and affected areas where lotus traditionally grew.
The decline also had an impact on local livelihoods. Nadru is an important part of Kashmiri cuisine and was once a significant source of income for families in villages surrounding Wular.
Wular Lake, spread across more than 200 square kilometres, is Asia second largest freshwater lake and one of Kashmir’s most important wetland ecosystems. Its degradation has affected both biodiversity and communities dependent on its natural resources.
To restore the lake authorities carried out desiltation work between 2020 and 2023. More than five square kilometres of the lakebed were reportedly desilted, with further efforts continuing to restore Wular’s wetland ecosystem.
The return of lotus has therefore brought renewed optimism to villages such as SK Payeen, Kolhama and Goorora, where communities have historically depended on Wular for fishing, nadru harvesting and water chestnut collection.