Enhancing the social-ecological resilience of an urban lake for sustainable management

Lake ecosystems are complex social-ecological systems facing ecological, economic, and social challenges influenced by natural and social factors. The Dal Lake is an urban lake in the Kashmir Himalaya that serves as a prime example of such a complex system, highlighting the intricate connections between the socio-economic activities and the natural environment. Using a case study of the Dal Lake, this study employs remote sensing tools, ecological and socio-economic data, along with stakeholder perceptions, to evaluate the driving forces, pressures, and potential strategies for enhancing the lake's social-ecological resilience. The study highlights the significant challenges faced by the Dal Lake social-ecological system in its ecological, economic, social, and cultural domains, rendering it vulnerable to current and future disruptions. Population expansion, rapid urbanization, pollution, agriculture expansion, invasive species, settlements, and inadequate management have disrupted the ecological integrity and the socio-economic dynamics of the lake. To enhance social-ecological resilience, adaptive management of the lake ecosystem is recommended as a crucial tool for sustainable management. The multidisciplinary approach employed in this study provides an integrated understanding of the state, challenges, and opportunities for developing social-ecological resilience in the Dal Lake, enabling informed decision-making for its future restoration and sustainable management.