The recent finding of the lotus flower blooming for the second year in a row is something special for more than one reason. Firstly, because the hardy plant has flowered after almost thirty years and secondly, because it signifies hope for the people living around the lake.
This plant used to be an integral part of the food in Kashmir as apart from its use in the local cuisine, the flower has provided livelihood for many.
But the floods of 1992, which saw deposit of silt in the lake, led to the total disappearence of the lotus from Wular Lake, a place in the valley. Thus this recent sighting is just another step towards reviving this plant as it is one of the several initiatives taken by the authorities to help the ecology of the region.
Apart from bringing back the prized delicacy of Kashmir for which many had longed, the flower also meant that hundreds of families who traded in this local specialty could now make a living out of it.
It was the daming and desilting of Wular lake by the Wular Conservation and Management Authority (WUCMA) which helped revive at least some parts of the ecology of the region. After all, it is the effort made by the WUCMA in removing almost five square kilometres of silt in the lake that has brought forth this bounty.
In fact, the locals are ecstatic over this development as they believe that this is just the beginning for the much needed rehabilitation of the region.
The people of Kashmir could not have been more excited over this recent find. After all,for many not only the delicacy but also the trade that it signified would soon be back, returning their lives to normalcy.
