The name Wular comes from the word Sanskrit word Ullola, which means ‘high waves’. High waves are unusual in this region, The cause usually no water body is big enough to produce them. But this is one of the largest freshwater lakes in all of Asia, fed by the jhelum river. Depending on the season the area covered by the Lake's Waters can range from 12 square miles to 100 square miles.

The lake plays a very important role in the local economy, providing food for over 8000 fisherman. It has a very rich and diverse avian population with words such as Eurasian sparrowhawk, Himalayan golden eagle, Himalayan monal, common cuckoo, alpine swift, Indian roller, and golden oriole.

For tourists it is usually nothing more than a nice picnic spot, especially at the island joined to the lakeside. Houseboat and other vessels can be hired at Ningal Nullah, Kiuhnus Bay and at Ajus Spur at the south-east end of the lake. Further watersports ventures have been launched by the government of India to promote tourism around the lake.

• Drive to here.
• Buses from Srinagar tourist reception centre make day trips to Bandipora.

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