India, April 18 -- Jammu and Kashmir has lost nearly half of its natural lakes over the past five decades, with 315 out of 697 lakes disappearing since 1967, according to an audit analysis cited in a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG). The findings highlight a sharp ecological decline and raise concerns about environmental sustainability and flood vulnerability in the region.

The analysis, based on data from the Ecology, Environment and Remote Sensing Department (EE&RSD), shows that the Union Territory has witnessed a total reduction of 2,851.26 hectares in lake area since 1967. This includes the complete disappearance of 315 lakes covering 1,537.07 hectares, alongside a shrinkage of 1,314.19 hectares across 203...