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Written by: Rameez Makhdoomi

Category: ENVIRONMENT

Published: 02 February 2018

SRINAGAR: World Wetlands Day occurs annually on February 2nd, marking the date of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands on February 2, 1971. Established to raise awareness about the value of wetlands for humanity and the planet, Wetlands form an significant part of our ecosystem. Wetlands can decrease flooding , remove pollutants from water , recharge groundwater, protect shorelines, provide habitat for wildlife , and perform other various important functions.

Beautiful Valley of Kashmir is bestowed with large number of impressive wetlands like HAIGAM RAKH, MIRGUND WETLAND, SHALBUG WETLAND. Close to the city of Srinagar and on Srinagar - Narbal stretch of the National Highway, we find the ancient and famous wetland of Kashmir Hokersar wetland, which is the favourite spot of several migratory birds . It too has faced lot of havoc in past few decades. A study carried out by the Department of Earth Sciences, Kashmir University states that Hokersar, a Ramsar site has shrunk from 18.75 Sq Kms in 1969 to 12.8 Sq Kms at present.

The Wetland International(NetherLands)  an International organization and authority on wetlands describe in their report the significance of wetlands of Kashmir as under,” The Kashmir Valley with an average elevation of 1600 amsl is dotted with wetlands, which play an enormous role in maintaining the hydrological regimes of the entire valley. There are varied assessments on the extent of wetlands within the valley owing to difference in interpretation of definition of wetlands. The present assessments ranging from 236.5 sq km (Space Application Center, 1998) - 256 sq km ( National Wetland Inventory, Salim Ali Center for Ornithology, 2001) , are significantly underestimated considering the comprehensive definition of wetlands on hydrological basis. Dal Lake, Anchar Lake, Manasbal and Wular Lake are some of the larger wetlands of the basin. Extensive marshes have been also formed in lower areas through catchment drainages, particularly between Srinagar and Sopore Rakh Asham, Naugam, Malgam, are some of the major marshes of the valley, a large portion of which has been drained and reclaimed for agriculture and settlement”.

But currently the Wetlands in Kashmir are facing multi-dimensional threats due to human encroachments and government apathy. Sheikh Sameer, a scholar on the eve of world  wetlands day while talking with Kashmir News Bureau states -" Wet lands form an integral aspect of our environment and help in maintain biodiversity .In the name of mad development by masses coupled with inefficient vision of policy makers the situation with reference to wetlands in Kashmir is quite unhealthy .We need to protect our wetlands and people should take a lead in this otherwise we are doomed .”