In a bid to attract tourists to the Asia’s largest fresh water lake, the Wular Conservation Management Authority (WCMA) has decided to introduce Shikara boats in the water body, the similar to the ones in Dal Lake. 

Conservator WCMA, Irfan Rasool Mir while talking to Rising Kashmir said a comprehensive plan has been developed to introduce eco-tourism in Wular Lake.

He said the Shikara boat which is a great attraction for tourists in Srinagar’s Dal Lake would be rolled out in Wular Lake soon.

He said the introduction of eco-tourism activities in Wular lake is going in full swing as per the comprehensive plan developed by the wular conservation management authority.

“We have restored 4.5 square kilometres silted area of wular to its original position which was the first step to introduce eco-tourism in the lake and the dredging operation on the remaining area is going on in full swing as Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha's administration had gathered pace and allotted funds for its rapid restoration because of having tremendous tourism potential of the lake.

Irfan said that WUCMA has also setup Boat Club in collaboration with Jammu and Kashmir Sports council in BotangooSopore where training will be provided to children so that they can take part in international and national events of water sports. 

Walkway and cycling track along wular in Saderkote area of Bandipora has been approved and will be constructed at a cost of ninety crores on 3.2 kilometers aiming at to provide tourists the glimpses of bird watching and photography, he said. 

The officer said that with the introduction of eco-tourism activities in lake, it will benefit all the villagers living around it in terms of increase in lake's produce like fish, water chestnuts and Nilembo besides uplifting its tourism significance.