EPG sounds alarm over Hygam Wetland’s ‘ecological collapse’

Srinagar, Nov 27: The Environmental Policy Group (EPG) Wednesday unveiled a devastating account of environmental degradation at the Hygam Wetland Conservation Reserve, a once-thriving ecosystem now reduced to a desolate landscape of dried grass and fallen vegetation.

A statement of EPG issued here said that the wetland, recognised under the Ramsar Convention, had been systematically destroyed through unchecked encroachment and administrative negligence.

“Spanning 16,000 kanal, this critical habitat has transformed from a vibrant sanctuary for migratory birds to a barren wasteland. Local communities, who historically depended on the wetland for diverse livelihood sources including chestnuts, Nadroo, and fish, now face economic devastation,” it said.

The statement said that the EPG’s investigation exposes a troubling pattern of environmental destruction.

“Areas of the wetland have been brazenly converted into paddy fields, playgrounds, orchards, and plantations, with encroachment reportedly involving not just local opportunists but departmental personnel themselves,” it said.

“The migratory bird populations, which have used this habitat for centuries, have completely vanished. The wetland now stands as a stark reminder of ecological mismanagement, with substantial conservation funds seemingly unused despite the critical state of the ecosystem,” the EPG statement said.

Drawing attention to their previous successful interventions in reviving other wetlands like Hokersar, Shallabug, and Mirgund, the EPG is demanding a comprehensive inquiry into the Hygam Wetland’s deterioration.

“The organisation seeks to establish accountability and trigger immediate restoration efforts. The group’s relentless pursuit highlights the urgent need for administrative action to prevent the complete loss of this irreplaceable ecological resource. As the wetland continues to languish, the EPG’s call for intervention grows increasingly critical, challenging the administrative apathy that threatens to erase a vital part of the region’s natural heritage,” the statement said. “The situation presents a million-dollar question: Will decisive action be taken before this ecological treasure is lost forever?”