Eurasian Otter in Kashmir

• 14 Jun 2025

Why in News? 

After three decades of presumed extinction, researchers spotted the Eurasian otter—a key part of Kashmir’s aquatic ecosystem—in the Lidder River at Srigufwara, south Kashmir. 

Key Points 

• Eurasian Otter: 
  • About: 
    • It is a semi-aquatic carnivorous mammal. 
    • Its scientific name is Lutra lutra. 
  • Distribution: 
    • It has one of the widest distributions of all Palaearctic mammals. 
    • Its range covers parts of three continents: Europe, Asia, and Africa. 
    • In India, the Eurasian otter is found in the northern, northeastern, and southern regions. 
  • Habitat: 
    • It lives in a wide variety of aquatic habitats, including highland and lowland lakes, rivers, streams, marshes, swamp forests, and coastal areas. 
    • In the Indian subcontinent, Eurasian otters inhabit cold hilly regions and fast-flowing mountain streams. 
      • India is home to three otter species – the smooth-coated, the Asian small-clawed, and the Eurasian Lutra lutra. 
  • Conservation Status: 
    • IUCN: Near threatened 
    • Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule II 
    • CITES: Appendix I 
• Rare Sighting in Kashmir: 
  • Locally known as ‘Vuder’, the Eurasian otter was once widespread in Kashmir's wetlands and rivers, especially in Dachigam, Rambiara, and Lidder. 
  • The sharp decline in otter populations is attributed to increasing water pollution and rampant hunting for their fur, both of which degraded their natural habitats.