Lotus stems have reemerged in Wular Lake after 25 years in J&K

Bandipora - Famous Lotus Stems" Nadru" makes a comeback to Wular Lake after 25 years. For hundreds of families living around Wular Lake, one of Asia's largest freshwater lakes, it feels like a festive occasion as they row their boats each morning to collect lotus stems.

The people, whose livelihoods depend on the lake, begin plucking nadru from various parts of Wular during these days, even in sub-zero temperatures, and in the evenings, they return with bundles of nadru they have extracted.

Nazir Ahmad said that after 25 years, nadru production has returned to Wular Lake, as it had completely disappeared due to increasing pollution levels and rapid urbanization. He said that the restoration and dredging projects have breathed new life into Wular Lake, which was slowly dying each passing day. "After 25 years, the return of nadru production is a sign that the lake is coming alive again," he said. "Apart from us," Ahmad says, "nadru also provides a livelihood to thousands of people, including vegetable sellers, fast-food vendors, and others."

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