From wetlands to wastelands!

There has been massive outcry from nature lovers against the deteriorating condition of wetlands in Kashmir.  Due to official apathy and public greed, wetlands are bearing the brunt of encroachments, pollution and siltation. We have to understand that wetlands are not just a winter refuge of migratory birds. Wetlands are an important part of our eco-system.

Considered as nature's kidneys, wetlands filter polluted water and importantly act as a buffer for flood waters.
It is ironic that despite having immense ecological value, wetlands are treated as wastelands in Kashmir. In absence of regulation, several wetlands in Srinagar have been buried under colonies. There is a deep nexus in unabated filling of wetlands for facilitating constructions.

We have glaring examples of how ecologically important wetlands including Jhelum floodplains including Hokersar, Bemina wetland, Narakara, Batamaloo Numbal, Rakh-e-Arth, Anchar lake and Gilsar have been degraded due to rapid encroachment and urbanisation. It is shocking that in Srinagar city alone, 20 wetlands have been lost to urban colonies in the last five decades. As it was not enough, work on several government projects is in full swing in areas close to wetlands in Srinagar.

We haven’t learnt lessons from devastating floods in 2014. It was a call for introspection and the need to protect the environment. However, the government as well as people left no stone unturned to devastate the environment in the name of so-called development.

We make hue and cry when the water level in river Jhelum increases after a few days of incessant rains. It is mainly due to the fact that wetlands comprising flood plains of Jhelum, which acted as reservoirs of floodwaters, have been extensively encroached. We are losing wetlands at a fast pace.

We are signatories to Ramsar Convention for conservation and sustainable utilisation of wetlands.  J&K ranks fourth to have five Ramsar sites out of 75 sites in the country. Wullar, Hokersar and Surinsar-Mansar were already declared as Ramsar sites while Hygam and Shallbugh were added to the prestigious list in 2022.

Despite being a Ramsar site, no tangible measure has been taken to restore Wullar and its associated wetlands in north Kashmir which comprise an important habitat for migratory water birds within Central Asian Flyway. Considered to be Asia’s largest freshwater lake, Wullar is fast losing its grandeur to extensive pollution, siltation and encroachments. The wetland has been extensively encroached upon by massive plantations and extension of agricultural fields.
Hygam wetland, a Ramsar site, has also been extensively encroached upon and converted into land for paddy cultivation over the last two decades.

The wetland receives lakhs of migratory and resident bird species in winter and also supports mammals, amphibians, and fish.

Another Ramsar site, Hokersar wetland,  once known as Queen of Wetlands for its immense ecological value, is battling for survival. Studies reveal that Hokersar has shrunk from  18.13 sq. Km in 1969 to 13.42 sq km in 2008, a loss of almost 5.2 sq. Km during the last forty years.
J&K has lost 2372 kanals of wetlands in the last over a decade. Over 120 hectares (2372 kanal) of wetland were lost in J&K between 2006-07 and 2017-18.  255, 167 and 91 kanals have been encroached in Hokersar, Shallbugh and Hygam wetlands respectively. This was revealed in a RTI reply by the Department of Wetland Protection J&K to social activist MM Shuja.

The Environmental Policy Group (EPG) has been voicing its concern over deteriorating condition of wetlands. During its recent visit to Hygam Wetland Conservation Reserve, the EPG team was distressed to see the dismal condition of the wetland.

As per the EPG 16,000 kanal of critical habitat of Hygam has been transformed from a vibrant sanctuary for migratory birds to a barren wasteland. Similarly, EPG has also raised red flags on the condition of Shallabugh, Mirgund and Hokersar wetlands.

One of the major problems is that authorities responsible for wetland conservation give preference to civil works rather than scientific interventions. Conservation of wetlands doesn’t need foreign experts! Authorities can rope in people living near wetlands for executing conservation measures. This will instill a sense of responsibility among locals to safeguard wetlands and also provide them employment avenges and improve their livelihood. From encroachers, they will become protectors!

It is the duty of local social, environmental activists and groups like EPG and NLCO to safeguard our natural resources. Let’s first press for demarcation and fencing of wetlands. We must understand that it is now or never a situation for conservation of wetlands. Given the immense ecological importance of wetlands, there is a need for a public movement to save these natural assets from further deterioration. Let’s protect and preserve wetlands for ourselves and future generations too!

Author is Executive Editor, Greater Kashmir