Context:

The Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra), a species long believed to be extinct in Kashmir, was recently spotted in the Lidder River in south Kashmir’s Srigufwara area. This unexpected sighting marks a major development in local wildlife conservation, as it is the third such appearance of the otter in the Valley in 2025.

About Eurasian Otters

Otters belong to the mammal group called Mustelidae and are found in both freshwater and marine habitats.

·        In Jammu & Kashmir, they are known as Vodur and play an important role in keeping aquatic ecosystems healthy.

·        They are mostly active during dawn and dusk (called crepuscular animals).

·        They are found in the Himalayas, northeast India, and the Western Ghats.

·        Eurasian otters eat fish, crustaceans, and amphibians, and sometimes they also feed on reptiles, birds, eggs, insects, and worms.

Conservation Status: They are listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN, included under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and placed in Appendix I of CITES.

Other Otter Species in India: India is also home to the Smooth-coated Otter (found throughout the country) and the Small-clawed Otter (found in the Himalayas and southern India).

Factors causing population decline:

• Water Pollution: Increasing pollution in Kashmir’s rivers and lakes — due to sewage, plastic waste, agricultural runoff, and unregulated tourism — degraded the otter’s natural habitat. As the otter relies on clean water and healthy fish populations, polluted ecosystems pushed it out.
• Hunting for Fur: In the past, otters were also hunted for their soft, water-resistant fur, reducing their numbers drastically.

Why this Sighting is significant:

The return of the Eurasian otter is a positive ecological sign. As a top predator in freshwater habitats, otters help maintain balance in aquatic food chains. Their presence often indicates a relatively healthy river system.

However, experts caution that a few sightings do not mean the population is fully recovering. These may be isolated individuals or remnants of a small, hidden population. More field research and long-term monitoring will be needed.

About the Lidder River:

 The Lidder River is a clean and fast-flowing river in south Kashmir. It starts from the Himalayan glaciers and flows through the beautiful Lidder Valley, including the town of Pahalgam.

·        Near the town, the river splits into two branches — the East Lidder and the West Lidder. It is a branch of the Jhelum River and is important for fish, wildlife, and local people.

·        The river also helps support tourism and adds to the natural beauty of the area.