SEERAT-Un-NISA
BANDIPORA, Dec 24: For generations, fishermen of Laharwalpora village in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district have depended on Wular Lake for their livelihood, preserving fish through the traditional practice of sun-drying to meet winter demand across the Valley. Locally known as Hoggard, sun-dried fish has long been a winter staple in Kashmiri households. Today, however, this age-old tradition is on the brink of extinction as pollution and environmental degradation continue to choke Asia’s largest freshwater lake.
Elderly fishermen recall a time when almost every household in Laharwalpora was involved in fishing and the labor-intensive process of drying fish under the sun. During winter months, when fresh fish becomes scarce, sun-dried fish would fetch good prices in local markets, sustaining families through the harsh season. But dwindling fish stocks have rendered the practice increasingly unviable.
Local fishermen attribute the sharp decline in fish availability to untreated domestic sewage, rampant plastic pollution, and steadily receding water levels in Wular Lake. These factors, they say, have severely disrupted fish breeding cycles, leading to a drastic reduction in daily catch.
“Fish availability has fallen sharply over the years,” said Nazir Ahmad, a local fisherman. “Earlier, Wular could sustain entire villages. Today, even after spending hours in the lake, the catch is minimal. The lake is shrinking every year, and pollution has destroyed its natural balance.”
Residents explained that preparing sun-dried fish is a time-consuming process requiring nearly three weeks of uninterrupted sunlight. Fish are cleaned, tied with ropes, and hung outdoors to dry naturally. However, with declining catches and erratic weather patterns linked to climate change, completing the process has become increasingly difficult.
“Even if we manage to catch some fish, the weather is unpredictable now,” said another fisherman. “Cloudy days and unseasonal rains ruin the drying process, causing losses.”
The economic strain has forced many families to abandon fishing altogether. With no assurance of stable income, younger residents of Laharwalpora are increasingly turning to daily-wage labour and other informal jobs to support their households. What was once a village known for its rich fishing culture is now witnessing a steady erosion of both livelihood and identity.
“This village was once recognised for its fishing tradition,” said a local resident. “If Wular Lake continues to deteriorate, not only will fishing end, but an entire cultural heritage will vanish.”
Environmental experts and locals alike have repeatedly called for urgent measures to curb pollution and restore Wular Lake’s ecological health. Fishermen warn that without immediate intervention, the decline of the lake will not only impact livelihoods but also erase centuries-old traditions that have defined communities living along its shores.
