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Written by: Bilal Bashir Bhat (Environmentalist)

Category: ENVIRONMENT

Published: 26 January 2019

Once called ‘Queen of Mallards’ are now at the verge of extinction due to incrementing siltation, illicit poaching, Hunting, incrementing population and Pollution. Once lakhs of Migratory was visiting the Haigam wetland, but now only 25,000 or even less are visiting this wetland. Illegitimate poaching and hunting is still going on in this wetland. During winter migratory birds of different species start flocking Haigam and other wetlands of Kashmir, but the count of avian visitors have registered a steep decline.

Haigam wetland is a shallow, permanent, freshwater lake (maximum depth 1.25m) on the floodplain of the Jhelum River in the Kashmir Valley. The greater part of the lake is dominated by extensive reed-beds. Channels have been cut through the reed-beds to allow the passage of boats between areas of open water. The lake is fed by the perennial streams of the Balkul and Nigh Flood Channels and numerous smaller streams. The surrounding land is predominantly rice paddy and natural marsh, with some pastures which flood after heavy rains. Strips of willow (Salix sp) have recently been planted around the perimeter of the lake.

The wetland is of major Species such as garganey, gadwall, mallard, shoveller, pintail, and wigeon use the lake in transit. Other common waterfowl include pond heron, yellow bittern, large egret, little egret, and purple moorhen. Puntius chonchonius, Channa gachua, Rasbora rasbora, Labeo rohita, and Trichogaster fasciatus constitute the common ichthyofauna of the lake. Lessemys punctata punctata and Trionyx gangeticus are the two species of turtle found here. The presence of freshwater medusae (Mansariella facustris) (a coelenterate), which is a rare species in these parts, adds to the uniqueness of this lake.

From underwater creatures to avian guests, Haigam Lake is home to a unique biodiversity. For decades, the Haigam Lake has been a potential destination for various kinds of Migratory birds. But now the lake is losing its pristine beauty and unique history due to the increasing human intervention. In the past sounds of birds used to auricularly discern from kilometres but now there is consummate silence as birds no longer visit Kashmiri wetlands, especially Hokersar, Wular Lake and Haigam Lake.

The Haigam wetland acts as a transitory stay for migratory Birds coming from Hokersar and Wular Lake and birds from both wetlands use Haigam as their resting grounds. (Bilal Bashir Bhat 2011-2015) But due to the incrementing poaching and hunting, the birds are now remotely visiting this wetland. Some 15-20 years earlier we used to watch birds flying like clouds splashing colours in the skies over the lake. Lakhs of avian guests use to flutter over here but that has diminished now drastically. We don’t even have a blink of that now.

Human acquisitiveness had not left any lake or wetland untouched in Jammu and Kashmir. People living adjacent to the lakes and wetlands turned the areas of these wetlands and lakes into agricultural, Horticultural and residential areas. Filling and conversion of theses wetlands is on elevate which amounted to the reduction of the aquatic habitat of birds. Another growing threat is the incrementing rate of siltation in these wetlands.

The flow of main flood channel Balkul and Ningli Nallah into Haigam Lake is another reason for degradation of the water body. The flood channels have devastated Haigam. A lot of sediment and filth is being received by the wetland and it is infested of too much weed. it is now solemn matter of concern on the decrementing inflow of birds and subsequently it will effect valley`s ecosystem.  The migratory birds are losing their natural habitat because of increasing human intervention.

Left out in oblivion Haigam wetland in Baramulla Kashmir are consistently under pressure of excessive human intervention which is nothing but a loss for people only. Conservation measures if not taken immediately then in next decade we will lost another historical, breeding and victualing ground of thousands of Migratory birds and some imperilled species from Jammu and Kashmir…..