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Warming climate, pollution and unplanned growth push Kashmir’s lakes toward disappearance
By Dar Yasin And Sibi Arasu, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· June 30, 2026
· 5 min read
Every morning, long, narrow wooden boats called shikaras move elegantly across expansive Dal Lake in a postcard-perfect scene framed by the Himalayan mountains. But all is not perfect in one of South Asia’s best-known lakes. Pollution from local buildings, invasive plant species that threaten bio...
Key takeaway It takes constant effort by workers employed by the local government to keep Dal Lake's weeds at bay, and they must take precautions to avoid skin irritation from the polluted water.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
San Antonio 's own experience with managing water resources in the face of growth and climate change makes the plight of Kashmir's lakes resonate locally. The decline of these lakes due to pollution, invasive species, and unplanned development serves as a cautionary tale for San Antonio's efforts to protect its own waterways, such as the San Antonio River. As San Antonio continues to grow, it must balance development with environmental stewardship to prevent similar degradation of its own natural resources. The city's initiatives to restore and protect its waterways, including efforts to control invasive species and reduce pollution, are crucial in this regard. By learning from the challenges faced by Kashmir's lakes, San Antonio can inform its own strategies for sustainable growth and environmental protection, ensuring the long-term health of its water resources and the ecosystems they support. This is particularly relevant given San Antonio's own history of managing its water resources.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 30, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 5 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Every morning, long, narrow wooden boats called shikaras move elegantly across expansive Dal Lake in a postcard-perfect scene framed by the Himalayan mountains. But all is not perfect in one of South Asia’s best-known lakes. Pollution from local buildings, invasive plant species that threaten bio...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 30, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Dar Yasin And Sibi Arasu, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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