Hygam Wetland Conservation Reserve gasps for breath!

Hygam Wetland Conservation Reserve, in north Kashmir, is gasping for breath. Siltation, pollution and encroachments are severely affecting its carrying capacity and flora and fauna.

Hygam, a Ramsar Site, a wetland site designated to be of international importance under the Ramsar Convention, is an important part of Jhelum floodplains and one of the associated wetlands of Wullar lake comprising an important habitat for lakhs of migratory water birds within the Central Asian Flyway. Over 40,000 migratory and resident bird species visit the wetland annually and take refuge in its reeds in winter.

Popularly known as Hygam Rakh, the wetland is surrounded by several villages. The wetland is fed by several streams including Ballakul and supports rich biodiversity besides birds and fish. However, absence of conservation measures is posing a threat to the wetland mainly due to influx of silt from feeding streams. Extensive silt deposition has led to drastic decrease in water level and many of its stretches have turned into land mass. Subsequently nutrient deposition has propelled extensive weed infestation.

In absence of scientific garbage collection and disposal, solid waste generated in villages surrounding Hygam in the wetland. In peak summer months, a pungent smell emanates from the wetland. In 2022, a team from Kashmir based Environmental Policy Group (EPG) made an on the spot assessment of Hygam Wetland and termed it as “dead and buried.”

A report of Government of India states that J&K has lost 2372 kanal of wetlands. The main factors are excessive habitat destruction, pollution, and heavy human interference.

On August 21, the High Court of J&K and Ladakh asked the Amicus Curiae, Advocate Nadeem Qadri in its suo moto  Public Interest Litigation(PIL) on wetlands in Kashmir to respond by September 18  government’s status report regarding conservation, protection and management of the wetlands. He was also asked to report alleged violations and encroachments in seven wetlands recognised to be of international importance and declared Ramsar Sites.

Advocate Qadri initiated his task by making spot assessment of Hygam Wetland.  “During my recent visit to Hygam Wetland Reserve, I feel a lot more needs to be done to protect and preserve our Wetland Ecosystems.  The Hygam Wetland Reserve needs immediate attention of the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Government of India and the Government of Jammu & Kashmir. I urge the Office of LG, J&K to give special attention towards the Eco-Restoration of Wetlands of Kashmir,” Qadri told Greater Kashmir.

“I am happy to share that an Integrated Wetlands Management Action Plan (IWMAP) has been prepared by the Department of Wildlife Protection, Jammu and Kashmir for the next five years.A detailed comprehensive report will be submitted to the High Court of J&K and Ladakh on the condition of wetlands. I am optimistic that with the Hon'ble High Court monitoring the Wetlands of Kashmir as "Custodia Legis" we will have a positive impact on Eco-Restoration of these important ecosystems," he added.

Initially, four wetlands of J&K and Ladakh were recognised to be of international importance and were declared as Ramsar sites under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. There are now seven wetlands covered under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands including Hokersar, Wullar Lake, Shalbugh and Hygam in Kashmir Valley, Tso Moriri and Tso Kar in Ladakh, and Surinsar-Mansar lakes in Jammu.

The  Wildlife Warden Kashmir in his submission to the court stated that wetlands should be conserved by ensuring their wise use that is sustainable utilisation for the benefit of mankind in a way compatible with the maintenance of the natural properties.

Experts state that Hygam, which is spread on 802 hectares, has been disgustingly facing the “onslaught of destruction”. They state that restoration of water flow into Hygam, construction of silt basins are important. Besides encroachments have blocked water flow into the wetland, and must be removed to restore natural water flow. Manual dredging must be undertaken so that birds don’t get scared due to use of heavy machinery. The wetland should be demarcated and fenced to prevent encroachments in future.

For enhancing Hygam’s water holding capacity, experts have recommended removal of undesired willow.  Due to close proximity with human habitations, there are reports of poaching of migratory birds in Hygam in winter. Anti-poaching mechanisms must be strengthened to provide a safe environment to migratory birds.

We have to understand the importance of wetlands. The flat topography of river Jhelum makes Srinagar vulnerable to flooding. Wetlands on the left and right of Jhelum act as reservoirs of the floodwaters. In the last five decades, in Kashmir , most of the wetlands like Hokersar, Bemina wetland, Narakara wetland, Batamaloo numbal, Rakh-e-arth, Anchar lake and Gilsar have lost their carrying capacity mainly due to conversion into agriculture land or concrete landscape.
20 wetlands have been lost to urban colonies alone during the last five decades in Srinagar.
It is high time for government and other stakeholders to join hands and save Hygam and other wetlands from further deterioration. Existence of wetlands is important for survival of human, birds and animals alike. Let’s restore and preserve these wetlands which are considered to be nature’s kidneys as these support diverse eco-system, filter polluted water and act as buffer for floods. Let’s not treat wetlands as wetlands!

Author is Executive Editor, Greater Kashmir