Mansar Lake Development Project of J&K: Key Facts

November 2, 2020

On November 1, 2020, the Union Minister of Development of the North Eastern Region Shri Jitendra Singh inaugurated the Mansar Lake Development Plan in Jammu and Kashmir.

Highlights

The plan is to attract more than 20 lakh tourists every year. It is expected to generate employment of 1.15 crores of man-days. In all, the project will generate Rs 800 crores of revenue.

The lake is to be rejuvenated and renovated on the lines of Ganga river cleaning project. Along with Lake Mansar, River Devika of Jammu and Kashmir is also to be renovated and rejuvenated. Together, these two projects are to be implemented at a cost of Rs 200 crores.

Other projects

The region will soon receive the first Bio-tech Industrial Park and first seed-processing plant of North India.

Recent Developments

The following were the recent developmental activities that were implemented in Jammu and Kashmir

The Shahpur Kandi Irrigation project was recently revived
The Ujh Multipurpose project has been revived after 5 decades.
Katra-Delhi expressway corridor
World highest railway bridge in Raesi
A new airport at Kishtwar under UDAN scheme

Significance

As tourism contributes to 7% of GDP of Jammu and Kashmir, it plays a major role in the revenue of the state.

Mansar Lake

It is located in Jammu. It has been designated as Ramsar convention site in 2005. It is a freshwater lake. It is a natural lake and fishing is the major activity.

Major Lakes in Jammu and Kashmir

Wulhar Lake

The Wulhar Lake is the largest freshwater lake of India located in Kashmir. It was formed due to tectonic forces. The Tulbul Project was begun in this lake. The project was begun in 1984 and was stopped in 1987 as Pakistan raised concerns that the project violated Indus Waters Treaty.