The Forgotten Wetlands of Kashmir: A Call for Urgent Action
Kashmir’s Wetlands: A Vanishing Paradise and a Call for Urgent Action
By: Javid Amin
Kashmir’s wetlands, a critical part of the region’s natural heritage, are now in peril. Long renowned for their pristine beauty and ecological importance, they are slowly fading away due to neglect, encroachment, and mismanagement. The Environmental Policy Group (EPG), a non-profit organization dedicated to environmental preservation, has raised the alarm on the worsening conditions of these unique ecosystems, particularly Hokersar, Shallabug, Haigam, Mirgund, and Aanchar wetlands. These once-thriving sanctuaries, vital for the health of Kashmir’s biodiversity, water quality, and cultural identity, are crying out for immediate intervention.
Why Kashmir’s Wetlands Matter
Wetlands play an irreplaceable role in Kashmir’s ecosystem and are crucial for:
- Biodiversity: They are sanctuaries for numerous migratory birds, including Siberian cranes, ducks, and geese.
- Water Purification: Wetlands naturally filter pollutants, improving water quality and supporting clean groundwater sources.
- Flood Mitigation: By absorbing excess rain and floodwater, wetlands act as natural barriers against flooding, which is especially crucial in the rainy season.
- Climate Regulation: Wetlands capture and store carbon dioxide, helping to mitigate climate change.
These unique habitats are Kashmir’s natural reservoirs, filtering pollutants, providing clean water, supporting local flora and fauna, and offering recreation and livelihood opportunities. Their destruction means losing a critical part of Kashmir’s natural heritage.
The Wetlands in Crisis: A Closer Look
Despite the fundamental role of wetlands, they are in various states of decline. Here’s a deeper look at the major wetlands struggling for survival today:
Hokersar Wetland – Once the “Queen of Wetlands”
Hokersar, located on the outskirts of Srinagar and Budgam, was once the pride of Kashmir, nicknamed the “Queen of Wetlands” due to its flourishing ecosystem. But years of neglect have turned this wetland into a parched wasteland. What was once a thriving habitat for birds and marine life is now used as a pasture, driving school, and a dumping ground for excavated soil.
The EPG recently uncovered large-scale soil excavation, with huge quantities of earth being removed without accountability. While an investigation was ordered following the EPG’s complaint, the inquiry itself fell under suspicion, as the very officials involved in the alleged misconduct were appointed as investigators. This clear conflict of interest underscores the urgent need for independent, transparent oversight in managing these fragile ecosystems.
Haigam Wetland – The Former Game Reserve
The Haigam Wetland, famous as a game reserve, is now a shadow of its former self. Encroachments have narrowed the wetland to a mere 3-4-foot-wide drainage, far from the expansive sanctuary it once was. What should have been a protected space for wildlife is now fragmented and dry, with orchards, illegal constructions, and even playgrounds carved out of the dried wetland.
Shallabug Wetland – Blocked, Divided, and Forgotten
The Shallabug Wetland, which once spanned kilometers and provided a lush habitat for a variety of species, is suffering from severe mismanagement. During a recent visit, EPG members were shocked to see that the wetland had been left completely dry, despite the fact that the nearby Sindh River was flowing at a level sufficient to replenish it. Shockingly, authorities have constructed a bund (embankment) in the middle of the wetland, further fragmenting it for unknown purposes.
Blocking the flow of water not only dries up the habitat but also creates an opportunity for soil excavation, a lucrative practice that strips the wetland of its natural sediment layers essential for supporting flora and fauna. These actions are often carried out by local mafias with little oversight, leaving the Shallabug Wetland on the brink of ecological collapse.
Mirgund and Aanchar Wetlands – The Neglected and the Abused
Both Mirgund and Aanchar wetlands are plagued by unchecked pollution, encroachments, and lack of restoration initiatives. The wetlands are filled with untreated sewage, and their water bodies are increasingly shrinking due to illegal construction and unregulated waste disposal. The cumulative effect has made them inhospitable to bird species and other wildlife that once thrived there.
Bird Migration and the Collapse of Habitats
Kashmir’s wetlands serve as critical resting and breeding grounds for migratory birds that travel thousands of miles. However, as these natural habitats deteriorate, fewer birds are seen each year. EPG has raised concerns over the drastic decline in bird populations, highlighting that the natural habitat once teeming with life is now inhospitable for these feathered travelers.
With each passing season, these birds are forced to search for alternative habitats, and many may not survive the journey. If we allow these wetlands to disappear, we risk not only losing a rich array of migratory birds but also disrupting the natural processes that depend on them, including pest control, pollination, and seed dispersal.
The Role of the Wildlife Department: A Crisis of Accountability
Kashmir’s Wildlife Department, tasked with preserving and protecting these wetlands, has faced significant criticism for failing to manage these resources. According to EPG, officials often respond to environmental crises with temporary measures and rely heavily on natural factors, like rain and snow, rather than proactive restoration efforts. In some cases, they even use old photographs and videos to give a false impression of success.
This lack of accountability highlights the need for an independent authority to oversee and audit the Wildlife Department’s management practices. Without this oversight, the department’s approach continues to lean on inaction, lack of accountability, and, in the worst cases, active complicity in degrading the very habitats they’re responsible for protecting.
EPG’s Demands for Urgent Action
EPG has called for an independent investigation into the Wildlife Department’s handling of Kashmir’s wetlands, urging transparency and accountability. The group emphasizes the need for long-term, sustainable solutions to rehabilitate these essential ecosystems. To protect these wetlands and ensure their survival for future generations, EPG has put forward the following recommendations:
- Independent Environmental Oversight: Appoint a neutral, qualified body to audit and manage wetlands independently of local agencies and authorities.
- Strict Enforcement of Regulations: Introduce strict penalties for encroachment, illegal soil excavation, and unauthorized construction.
- Revival Projects: Invest in restoration and revival projects that include desilting, reforestation, and water management systems.
- Public Awareness and Community Engagement: Increase awareness of wetland protection among the general public, encouraging community engagement in conservation efforts.
The Economic and Cultural Implications of Vanishing Wetlands
Wetlands are not only environmental treasures but also essential for the local economy. Tourism, fishing, and even agriculture benefit directly from healthy wetland ecosystems. As these wetlands deteriorate, so do the livelihoods of people who depend on them. Furthermore, these wetlands are culturally significant for the people of Kashmir, woven into the fabric of local traditions and folklore. Losing them would mean losing a piece of Kashmir’s identity.
How You Can Help: A Call to Action
Every individual can contribute to the conservation of Kashmir’s wetlands. Here are some actionable ways to make a difference:
- Stay Informed: Keep updated on environmental issues affecting Kashmir’s wetlands and support policies aimed at conservation.
- Responsible Tourism: When visiting these sites, avoid littering, stay on designated paths, and respect the natural environment.
- Raise Awareness: Share information about the importance of wetlands with your community, especially among young people, to foster a sense of responsibility.
- Engage with Local Initiatives: Support NGOs like EPG that work to protect Kashmir’s natural resources and consider volunteering or donating to their causes.
Final Thoughts: A Call for Immediate Intervention
The environmental crisis facing Kashmir’s wetlands is urgent. Each day of neglect brings these natural treasures closer to irreversible loss. Through proper management, stricter regulations, and community involvement, there’s hope for a restoration of these wetlands. By preserving them, we preserve not only the ecological balance but also the heritage and beauty of Kashmir itself.
PRESS RELEASE
The Environmental Policy Group ( EPG) is aghast over the deteriorating health of wetlands of Kashmir. Our wetlands have never been in this pathetic condition as they have been for some time. It shows the abject failure of the Wildlife Department in managing these natural resources so generously gifted by the creator. It is not the case of one or two wetlands but each and every of our wetlands is crying for attention. Once known as the “ Queen of Wetlands “- Hokersar deserves special mention, located on the outskirts of Srinagar on one side and Budgam on the other. The total apathy by officials has reduced this Waterbody into a pasture, parched land , playground and a driving learning facility. Environmental Policy Group ( EPG) had unearthed a huge earthwork scam whereby huge quantities of excavated soil was clandestinely trucked away without any accountability. On EPG’s complaint, the Department had ordered an enquiry but was covered under the carpet because the same officials against whom the complaint was lodged were appointed enquiry officers. What a shame ! This raises serious questions about the necessity of having a Wildlife Department in place. It is not a shame for the Department only but for society as well to silently watch death and destruction of wetland so critical for our eco-system.
Hokersar is not the only Wetland facing such fate but Haigham Wetland, once a famous Game Reserve , is in no better condition. It too has been reduced to a 3-4 ft wide drain. A sign has been encroached upon , constructions made, orchards developed and even playgrounds carved out of the dry and parched wetland.
The fate of Shallabug is even worse ! An EPG team during a visit walked kilometres and kilometres from one end to the other end of this wetland. Not a drop of water was seen in any part of the Wetland despite the fact that water level in its feeding river River Sindh was flowing at a higher level and could easily flow into the wetland but astonishingly its flow into Shallabug wetland was blocked to enable mafia to excavate and carry the soil out of the Wetland.
Surprisingly a bund has also been constructed in the middle of the wetland dividing for unknown reason. This shows the total insensitivity and mismanagement of Shallabug on the part of the Wildlife Department.. The condition of Mirgund and Aanchar is no different.
EPG laments that with the bird migration season already having set in and their natural habitats having been rendered Inhabitable for them, what is the role the Department is playing. Like the past they are waiting for a windfall to come to their rescue in the form of rain/snow from the skies. They lose no time to engage professional camera persons to shoot and hoodwink the people. At times the Department showcases videos/photos of previous years. EPG demands a high level independent enquiry into the charges levelled by it. It may be noted that this and other issues critical for conservation of environment were raised by the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry ( KCCI) in their meetings held with the Chief Minister , Omar Abdullah who assured to look into the matter urgently. These issues were agitated by Convenor EPG – Faiz Bakshi and members of the civil society in their meeting with the chief Minister.
Faiz Bakshi
Convenor- Environmental Policy Group( EPG)