JAMMU: Conservation efforts at north Kashmir’s Wular Lake, one of Asia’s largest freshwater lakes and a crucial Ramsar site, have restored around five sq km of critically silted area and involved the phased removal of 1.31 lakh willow trees as part of a scientific plan to revive the wetland’s ecological balance, officials said.

Nearly 78.43 lakh cubic metres of silt have been dredged to reclaim the lake area and enhance water-holding capacity. Protection bunds have been strengthened along about 15 km of vulnerable stretches to prevent encroachments and provide flood buffering, the Wular Conservation and Management Authority officials said.

The eco-restoration drive is supported by infrastructure development, including a 2.5-km non-motorable walkway at Banyari–SK Payeen featuring cycling tracks and viewing points, along with the development of parks at multiple locations to promote eco-tourism.