A cow eats at a garbage dumping yard on the banks of the Jhelum River in Baramulla, Jammu and Kashmir, India, on April 9, 2026. The disposal of garbage on riverbanks is contributing to water pollution, impacting aquatic life. Freshwater lakes in Jammu and Kashmir, including Dal, Wular, and the Jhelum River, are experiencing ecological challenges due to untreated sewage, solid waste dumping, and high pollutant levels, with over 74% of 697 lakes either disappearing or shrinking. (Photo by Nasir Kachroo/NurPhoto) (Photo by Nasir Kachroo / NurPhoto via AFP)