The decline of Kashmir's lakes is driven by multiple factors. Waste dumping, untreated sewage, and construction along the banks have polluted the water and reduced its size. For instance, Anchar Lake has shrunk from 20 square kilometers in the 1890s to just four square kilometers today. Similarly, Dal Lake has lost 85% of its area due to encroachment and pollution, with water deemed unsafe for drinking due to coliform bacteria from untreated sewage.