Hokersar wetland on brink of extinction

With authorities sitting on conservation of Hokersar wetland here, the Ramsar site in the summer capital is on the brink of extinction.

Situated on city outskirts, Hokersar till a few decades ago was known as the ‘Queen of Wetlands’.  Hokersar is an important refuge for migratory waterfowl, shorebirds and trans-Himalayan species during winters. It also acts as one of the major flood absorption basins.

Owing to its immense ecological value, Hokersar has been declared as Conservation Reserve under the Jammu and Kashmir Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1978. It was also declared as Ramsar site on November 8, 2005under the Ramsar Convention. India is a signatory to the Ramsar Convention— an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable utilization of wetlands.

In absence of any conservation measures over past nearly two decades, Hokersar has been pushed to the verge of extinction. A study conducted by Department of Earth Sciences Kashmir University reveals that Hokersar has shrunk from 18.75 sq Kms in 1969 to 12.8 sq Kms.

The study is based on extensive field survey supported by high resolution satellite data. Prof Shakil Romshoo who conducted the study said the wetland’s open waters have been colonized by the weeds and other aquatic vegetation.

“Some areas of the wetland that existed in 1969 have been converted into paddy fields. About 10 hectares of the wetland has been converted into built-up area. Marshy areas within the wetland, that forms an important part of the habitat for the migratory birds, has shrunk by 150 hectares and have been colonized by the aquatic weeds,” Romshoo said.

Hokersar also bore the brunt of last year’s devastating floods last year. The wetland lies in flood basin of Jhelum river and sub basin of Doodh Ganga and Sukhnag Nala. “Flood waters through different tributaries carried tons of silt into Hokersar. The bed of the wetland has been raised by around 12-feet due to heavy influx of silt. This has severely affected its eco-system. After floods, there has been drastic decrease in visit of diving ducks and pochards to the wetland,” said an official of the Wildlife department.

Experts said influx of sewage and solid waste from flood spill channel and Doodh Ganga has also led to deterioration of the wetland’s condition.

Dr AM Kak, an environmentalist in his study states that the waters of Hokersar has been highly polluted and chocked by noxious Azolla. “Peripheral portions of the wetland near surrounding villages including Sozeit, Goethpora, Dharmuna, Soibugh, HMT side and Haji Bagh have been encroached. The problem is compounded by weed infestation, change of land use, agricultural activities and extensive willow plantations in the wetland,” Dr Kak said.

Wildlife Warden Wetlands, Imtiaz Lone said state government has been taking short-term conservation measures to accommodate the migratory birds. “However, we are unable to fully undertake its conservation due to paucity of funds. Kashmir’s nine wetlands including Hokersar, were identified under the National Wetland Conservation Programme” for conservation and Management. But till date no funding under this scheme has been approved,” Lone said.

He said following floods last year, a team of World Bank has sought report on damage to wetlands—Hokersar, Mirgund and Haigam.

 “We submitted an estimate of Rs 81 crore for restoration of these wetlands which include Rs 42 crore for Hokersar. However, no funds have been released so far,” he added.