Wetlands In Kashmir Dying For Attention

Kashmir, surrounded by the Himalayas, has a variable number of wetlands which is of great importance and recognized at the international level. They not only provide habitat to migratory birds but also provide economic support to the UT/ Province of Kashmir. Many times, wetlands also provide and serve livelihood for many people, especially rural people. Wetlands in Kashmir provide socio-economic support to many inhabitants and substantiate their livelihood. It also provides livelihood to the rural population, especially in developing countries, and they have been highly rated and valued by many cultures. In terms of tourism and by virtue of these wetlands, many jobless persons have been given jobs, therefore acting as a livelihood for inhabitants. They are also valued as habitats for many migratory birds from the World who travel to Kashmir. The Jammu and Kashmir has 3651 small and big wetlands spread across 22 districts. On August 14, 2022 at the eve of 75th Independence Day The Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav announced that india had added 11 more wetland in the list of Ramsar Site including two more wetlands from Kashmir i.e Shalbugh Wetland in Central Kashmir District Ganderbal and Haigam in Baramulla. it is pertinent to mention that two water bodies from Kashmir namely Hokarsar and Walur Lake were already added in the list of Ramsar Sites and in Jammu division Surinsar-Mansar was already added in the list adding total five Ramsar Sites from the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. After adding two more wetlands in the list of Ramsar Sites everyone was hoping that it will give a major boost to conservation efforts and there will be added focus on preserving and conserving these Ramsar sites for prosperity. Being a close resident of a famous Ramsar Site namely Shallabugh Wetland in Ganderbal it is unfortunate to say ”no special attention has been laid down towards the Shallabugh wetland after it has been added in the List of Ramsar Site”. The shrinking of the wetland which is most caused due to the encroachment has adversely affected the arrival of migratory birds and has increased the chances of flooding. Every year lakhs of migratory birds visit Shallabugh from far-flung places like Siberia, Central Asia, Northern Europe, Ladakh, and China. Some of the popular migratory birds visiting various wetlands of Kashmir are Geese, Bar Geese, White Heeled Duck, Shoveller, Red-Crested Pochard, White-Eyed Pochard, Common Teal, Pintail, Mallard, Gadwall, Coot, Hoonk and Graylag. The flying visitors start to throng the Kashmir valley from the first week of November, and the outward migration is expected from March up to Mid-April.
Although, wetlands provide a variety of benefits, they have been drained, filled, and converted for alternate purposes throughout the globe. The World has changed dramatically since 1990 and has lost roughly 50% of its wetlands. In India, nearly 1/3 of the natural Wetland have been lost in the last three decades; as wetlands degrade, the benefits provided by these ecosystems are lost, impacting several species as well as the livelihood of those communities who are wholly and solely dependent on these wetlands. Despite the fact that wetlands are part of the biosphere, wetlands in Kashmir are shrinking to a large extent due to a lack of attention from the authorities. Most of the wetlands in Kashmir are critically endangered and on the verge of extension. The reason seems to be a lack of knowledge about environmental education and laws to the planner who has planned developmental projects against the interests of the Wetland. The High Court of J&K and Ladakh in September 2022 had sought a report from the government seeking complete status of 7 wetlands in J&K, Ladakh but unfortunately no status report has been filled by the government to date. The bottom line is that the educated section must wakeup and need to understand that wetlands are not wastelands, but biodiversity hotspots that provide flora and fauna and must be preserved for future generations.
(The authors are Environmentalists and are currently practicing in Jammu Kashmir & Ladakh High Court as Advocates. The author is teacher by profession. The views, opinions, facts, assumptions, presumptions and conclusions expressed in this article are author’s own and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”.)
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