Cows and stray dogs eat as kites and crows fly near a garbage dumping yard on the banks of the River Jhelum in Baramulla, Jammu and Kashmir, India, on April 9, 2026. The unchecked disposal of garbage on riverbanks contributes to water pollution, affecting aquatic life. Freshwater lakes in Jammu and Kashmir, including Dal, Wular, and the River Jhelum, face ecological challenges due to untreated sewage, solid waste dumping, and high pollutant levels, with over 74% of 697 lakes either disappeared or shrinking. (Photo by Nasir Kachroo/NurPhoto) (Photo by Nasir Kachroo / NurPhoto via AFP)