CAG Report on Disappearance of Lakes in Jammu & Kashmir | 09 Apr 2026

Why in News? 

A recent audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has revealed that nearly half of the lakes in Jammu and Kashmir have disappeared since 1967, raising concerns about a growing ecological crisis in the region. 

Key Points 

• CAG Findings: The audit found that out of 697 lakes recorded in 1967, about 315 lakes have vanished, indicating a major decline in water bodies in the region.  
  • Around 203 lakes have shrunk in size. 
  • In total, 518 lakes have experienced a reduction in area.  
  • About 63 lakes have already lost more than half of their original area, putting them at high risk of disappearing completely. 
  • 150 recorded an increase in area, while 29 showed no change. 
• Causes of Decline: The decline is attributed to encroachment, pollution, land-use changes, weak monitoring, and lack of coordinated management among government departments.  
  • Government conservation initiatives have focused mainly on six major lakes—Dal Lake, Wular Lake, Hokersar Wetland, Manasbal Lake, Surinsar Lake, and Mansar Lake—while most other lakes lack protection plans. 
• Budget Allocation: Between 2017 and 2022, only about 1% of Jammu and Kashmir’s capital expenditure budget (₹560.65 crore) was allocated to these six lakes.