Hokersar wetland on verge of extinction

Wetlands are areas that are transitional between terrestrial and aquatic systems where the water table is usually at or near the surface or the land is covered by shallow water. The Jammu and Kashmir state is bestowed with a large number of picturesque wetlands. The famous picturesque wetlands of Jammu and Kashmir are Hokersar, Wular, Surinsar,Mansar etc. Hokersar and Wular in Kashmir and Surinsar-Mansar in Jammu are identified as Ramsar Wetlands of International Importance. These wetlands always act as ‘kidneys” by regulating water and filtering waste from the landscape. They absorb carbon dioxide gas and help to reduce global warming. They provide tremendous ecological and economic services, however the wetlands of Jammu and Kashmir like Hokersar, Khushal Sar, Gilsar etc. are not free from the threat of extinction due to multiple reasons and factors. Hokersar wetland is known as the ‘Queen of wetlands” in the Kashmir valley. It was declared as a conservation Reserve by the Jammu and Kashmir wildlife Protection act 1978 and selected as a Ramsar site under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of international importance on 08 November, 2005. The water supply of the Hokersar wetland is maintained by the Doodhganga and Sukhnag streams. Hokersar wetland is a biological hotspot and plays a very important role in conservation of nature. It provides a number of ecological services such as it provides fresh water supply, regulation of regional climate, flood control, harbour rich biodiversity, remove pollutants from water and improve water quality, recharge groundwater, protect shorelines, provide habitat for aquatic flora and fauna. It is a home for lakhs of migratory birds like water fowls, shorebirds and trans Himalayan species from different continents of the world. Migratory birds start their annual sojourn here in early September and stay until mid- February or early March. It contributes to climate mitigation and adaptation very well. Hokersar wetland is a great source of natural products like fish, water chestnut, and root stocks of lotus plant (locally known as Nadru), fodder, vegetables, tourism, and a variety of economically important aquatic plants. It is a source of livelihood to many local people. The traditional reed mats locally called Wagoo is made from wild vegetation that grows on the Hokersar wetland. It also acts as a buffer against the floods. Despite campaigns, seminars, debates etc. conducted every year on importance, conservation and protection of wetlands. The Hokersar wetland is at the last breath and craves the attention of all authorities, civil society, NGOs, and responsible citizens due to its drying and dying. It has already lost vast areas due to a multitude of reasons. The main causes of degradation and dying of Hokersar wetland are anthropogenic activities. The wetland is being used as a dumping site by the people of the adjoining areas for both biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes. Polythene, plastics etc. are thrown fearlessly into the wetland and even liquid wastes from households directly get into the Hokersar wetland that has increased its pollution beyond the permissible level. Siltation due to Dodhganga and Sukhnag streams has reduced its area and depth. Population pressure, urbanization encroachments and land use changes have led to further great stress on the wetland. The encroachment and infrastructure development within the wetland has reduced its water holding capacity, increasing the vulnerability of people toward flooding. Agricultural runoff and municipal waste water discharges have resulted in eutrophication of the Hokersar wetland.
Diverting of wetland water and dredged earth of Srinagar city has been dumped into the wetland that has caused drying of large areas of wetland for the past many years. Wild growth of weeds and other aquatic vegetation have also choked the Hokersar open waters to a larger area of wetland. It is pertinent to mention that the chairman of Jammu and kashmir RTI movement Dr. Raja Muzaffar Bhat highlighted the pathetic condition of wetlands of kashmir valley including the dying Hokersar wetland. Dr. Muzaffar Bhat sahab was very concerned about the Hokersar, Wular wetlands of the Kashmir valley and even sought intervention of NGT for protection and conservation of precious wetlands. Despite clear NGT directions for protection and conservation of kashmir wetlands like the Queen Hokersar wetland, the valley wetlands are still facing threats due to apathy of all stakeholders. The present condition of Hokersar wetland is that it seems to be no longer a wetland but a wasteland due to human encroachments and the concerned authorities’ apathy. It is the high time to save the Queen wetland from drying and extinction for the benefit of all people and the ecosystems as well. Education and awareness among the people through seminars, workshops, debates etc. about the importance of wetland is the need of the hour. People residing near the Hokersar wetland should involve themselves in protection of the wetland instead of treating it as wasteland. Irrigation and flood control department should maintain its good water level. Robust management strategies must be adopted by the government for conservation, protection and restoration of the Hokersar wetland, Strict implementation of wetland laws for the conservation, protection and restoration of wetland, removal of illegal encroachments in and around the Hokersar wetland, control of siltation, addressing and treating point sources and nonpoint sources of pollution in the vicinity and catchments that would improve the trophic status of the wetland in peril, removal of wild vegetation and other aquatic plants in the wetland, Creating barrier or green zones for protection of wetland ecosystems, Setting up of robust treatment plants within the wetland will save and improve the health of the wetland. Hokersar wetland is a precious gift of the Almighty Allah to the people of Kashmir valley due to its immense socioeconomic and ecological benefits. All people must realise its importance before it is too late as it is drying and dying at a high pace and craves for our immediate attention. Moreover, the administration should prioritize the development and preservation of the Hokersar wetland. Let’s pledge, hope and join hands together and cooperate with the administration and other stakeholders to save the precious wetland from multi-dimensional threats like pollution, encroachments, siltation, eutrophication, so that dying and craving Hokersar wetland will restore its originality as it was before two decades.
(The author is a teacher Boys Higher Secondary School Beerwah. Views are exclusively his own)
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