Why is it in the news?
→ Jammu & Kashmir government considering revival of Tulbul Navigation Barrage amid developments related to Indus Waters Treaty. Proposal linked to water diversion and navigation improvements.
Category: Geography
Important Points
- Also known as Wullar Barrage.
- Navigation lock-cum-control structure at outlet of Wullar Lake in J&K.
- Designed to facilitate navigation on Jhelum River during lean winter months (Oct–Feb).
- Work started in 1984 but stopped due to Pakistan’s objections under IWT.
- Planned dimensions: 439-ft long and 40-ft wide.
- Storage capacity designed at 0.30 million acre-feet.
- It would maintain a minimum draft of 4.4 ft up to Baramulla during winter.
- Ensures round-the-year navigation over a 20-km stretch between Baramulla and Sopore.
- Would support downstream hydroelectric plants like Uri I and II.
- Wular Lake is the largest freshwater lake in India and second largest in Asia.
- Located in Bandipore district; fed by Jhelum River.
- Lies at altitude of 1,580 m; area about 200 sq km.
- Ramsar site since 1990.