EPG Flags ‘Serious Ecological Lapse’ Behind Cyanobacterial Bloom in Kashmir Lake | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: The Environmental Policy Group (EPG) has expressed deep concern over the rapidly deteriorating water condition of Dal Lake following the widespread cyanobacterial bloom that has engulfed a significant portion of the lake.

In a detailed statement based on field observations and scientific inputs, the group contested attempts to attribute the bloom to seasonal temperature changes or reduced water inflow, saying available evidence does not support such explanations.

According to EPG, the bloom began about two weeks ago when ambient temperatures were relatively cool. “This fact alone rules out temperature as the triggering factor in the present case,” the group said.

While acknowledging that a dry spell has reduced surface inflow into the lake, EPG noted that nearly 30 percent of the lake’s inflow is sustained by subsurface lake-bed springs. Such hydrological conditions, it said, are not scientifically sufficient to trigger a bloom of this scale. Instead, the reduced inflow currently being cited appears to have limited the effectiveness of dilution and control measures rather than explaining the origin of the bloom.

The group said it had been informed that shortly before the bloom appeared, mechanical deweeding operations were undertaken under an annual contract awarded by the Lake Conservation and Management Authority.

According to EPG, the contractor was directed to carry out large-scale deweeding without prior scientific evaluation of the timing of intervention, the proportion of vegetation to be removed, or the ecological consequences of disturbing rooted lake-bed weeds. It said earlier deweeding exercises had followed established scientific protocols, including ecological threshold assessments, and the absence of such evaluation in the present instance represented a serious procedural lapse.

The organisation said mechanical removal of rooted vegetation without ecological safeguards can disturb lake-bed sediments enriched with nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen. Such disturbance may cause these nutrients to resuspend and disperse into the water column, enabling cyanobacteria naturally present in freshwater systems to multiply rapidly.

“The scale and uniformity of the present bloom strongly indicate that nutrient enrichment caused by sediment disturbance was the likely catalyst,” the statement said.

The bloom has appeared in the form of thick green scum resembling spilled paint across the lake surface, accompanied by foul odour and extensive green discolouration of the water. EPG said these characteristics are typical indicators of a Microcystis bloom caused by cyanobacteria proliferating in nutrient-rich freshwater systems.

Independent microscopic examination of affected water samples has reportedly confirmed the bloom as Microcystis, the group said, adding that objections had earlier been raised against conducting deweeding without scientific monitoring and impact testing, but those concerns were not acted upon.

EPG also expressed concern that the Lake Conservation and Management Authority appeared to be downplaying the seriousness of the situation through selective video messaging to media outlets instead of acknowledging possible procedural lapses.

Scientific literature, the group said, shows that Microcystis blooms produce toxins known as microcystins, which are hepatotoxic and may also have neurotoxic effects. Exposure can lead to skin rashes, throat irritation, respiratory complications, pneumonia and gastrointestinal distress. Ecologically, such blooms degrade water quality, reduce biodiversity, block sunlight penetration and deplete dissolved oxygen levels.

The group further noted that water from Dal Lake and the interconnected Nigeen Lake is lifted for municipal supply through the Nishat Water Treatment Plant via the Dal Bund lift station and through the Pokhribal Lift Scheme.

A video circulated by the Superintending Engineer (Hydraulic), Circle Srinagar, has stated that water treatment plants are closely monitoring quality parameters and ensuring that bloom-affected water is adequately treated before being supplied to consumers in Srinagar city.

While noting these assurances, EPG said reactive treatment at water treatment plants cannot substitute preventive ecological management at the source.

Based on the sequence of events and scientific reasoning, the Environmental Policy Group said the present Microcystis bloom appeared to have been triggered by negligence at senior levels of the Lake Conservation and Management Authority in permitting large-scale deweeding operations without scientific safeguards and ecological monitoring.

The organisation has called for an independent scientific inquiry into the recent deweeding operations, immediate public disclosure of water quality data including toxin monitoring results, and the creation of a permanent multidisciplinary oversight mechanism for lake management.

“Dal Lake is not only an ecological treasure but also a public health and economic lifeline. Its management must be guided by scientific integrity, accountability and long-term sustainability,” the statement said.