Use drone technology to protect Hygam Wetland: JKCAG

Srinagar, Nov 24: The J&K Climate Action Group (JKCAG), led by Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat, on Saturday conducted a visit to the Hygam Wetland Conservation Reserve in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district and urged the Deputy Commissioner to immediately halt illegal sand and clay mining in and around the wetland.

In a statement, the group said illegal extraction around Hygam Rakh and Nallah Kanihama has breached embankments, putting the wetland—designated as a Ramsar site—at further ecological risk. JKCAG said drone-based surveillance should be deployed to monitor encroachment, waste dumping, unlawful mining and poaching of migratory birds.

“Authorities, including the Wildlife Protection Department and the Irrigation & Flood Control Department, have failed to safeguard this crucial waterbody. Illegal sand and clay mining is taking place in broad daylight near Nallah Kanihama, and heavy machinery has damaged the embankments,” Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat said.

He added that drone monitoring would help maintain constant vigilance over violations and protect the already fragile ecosystem.

He noted that the Environmental Policy Group (EPG) has repeatedly raised concerns about the degradation of Hygam Wetland, but “authorities appear least bothered.”

Senior members of the Central Auqaf Committee Tarzoo Sopore, including Ajaz Ahmad Dar and Abdul Subhan Rather, District Chairman JKCAG Pulwama Ajaz Sofi, and multimedia journalist Bilal Dar accompanied the team during the visit to Rakhe Hygam and Gohal Tengpora, areas where large-scale illegal mining has been alleged.