Impact of climate change and anthropogenic activities on lacustrine ecosystems of the Kashmir Valley, NW Himalaya, India

Abstract

Due to the significant sedimentation and anthropogenic pressures, the Kashmir Himalaya lakes (Dal, Wular, Manasbal) located within and in the vicinity of urban settlements are experiencing massive degradation. The unique climate, geographic setting, and rock degradation owing to the tectonic uplift of the area, contribute to increased sedimentation in these lakes. The sewage and other anthropogenic pressures have also increased various minerals including nitrogen influx in these lakes. Total organic carbon levels in the Dal Lake are high and range from 2.72% to 25.12%, with nitrogen levels ranging from 0.92% to 9.81%. The total organic carbon of Wular and Manasbal Lakes ranges from 0.83% to 4.52%, and 3.11% to 13.74% with nitrogen ranging from 0.06% to 0.5% and 0.20% to 1.96%, respectively. The estimated sedimentation rates for the Wular, Manasbal, and Dal Lakes are 0.125 cm/yr, 0.44 cm/yr, and 0.93 cm/yr. Given these factors and the geographic setting of Kashmir Himalaya, it is believed that under the sustained threat of climate change and anthropogenic pressure, mitigation strategies to control sedimentation and pollution are unavoidable for the long‐term survival of these valuable ecosystems. This review examines contributing factors, explores potential consequences, and proposes mitigation measures, to save these important aquatic ecosystems from further deterioration.