Kashmir’s Wetlands in Crisis: Environmental Group Demands Urgent Action Against Degradation and Mismanagement
A Crisis in Kashmir: Mismanagement Threatens Hokersar, Haigham, and Other Premier Wetlands
The delicate ecosystems of Kashmir’s wetlands, crucial for sustaining biodiversity, agriculture, and the lives of local communities, are under threat. The Environmental Policy Group (EPG), an environmental advocacy group, has voiced a powerful plea to the Jammu and Kashmir government to rescue these deteriorating wetlands from the brink of ecological collapse. Addressing a letter to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, the EPG has highlighted disturbing mismanagement and encroachments affecting Hokersar, Haigham, Shallabugh, and Mirgund wetlands, among others. This detailed appeal paints a grim picture of negligence, systemic exploitation, and the urgent need for conservation efforts to restore these ecologically significant wetlands.
The Call for Action: Why the Wetlands Matter
The wetlands of Kashmir are not just picturesque landscapes; they are lifelines supporting diverse ecosystems and providing essential resources for surrounding communities. Recognized under the Ramsar Convention, wetlands such as Hokersar, Haigham, Shallabugh, and Mirgund are integral to flood control, water purification, biodiversity, and agriculture. However, despite their environmental and cultural importance, these regions have been exploited for unauthorized land use, illegal mining, and over-extraction of resources, leaving them depleted and endangered.
“The tragic irony is that the officials responsible for conservation have contributed to the degradation of these wetlands. These essential resources are drying up, and without immediate intervention, Kashmir risks losing irreplaceable ecological assets,” stated EPG Convenor Faiz Ahmad Bakshi.
1. Hokersar Wetland: The “Queen of Wetlands” on Life Support
Hokersar, often lauded as the “Queen of Wetlands,” was once a vibrant habitat hosting countless migratory birds. However, the wetland is now in a crisis due to repeated failures in water restoration efforts. The EPG reports that, with dwindling water levels, Hokersar may fail to attract migratory birds this season—a significant loss not only for biodiversity but also for local tourism and cultural heritage.
- Root Causes of Decline: Encroachment, illegal mining, and the “Mitti Mafia,” who extract and sell soil and other materials, have left Hokersar increasingly barren. The EPG attributes much of this degradation to poor enforcement by Wildlife Department officials, highlighting a recurring issue of ineffective conservation efforts across Kashmir’s wetlands.
- Impact on Wildlife: Migratory bird populations, which usually flock to Hokersar in droves, are dwindling due to habitat loss. Birdwatchers, ecologists, and environmentalists alike have raised concerns, calling Hokersar’s potential failure as a host for migratory birds a serious ecological and economic loss for the region.
Aslo Read | Kashmir’s Wetlands Shine with Rare Great Bittern Sighting at Wular Lake
2. Haigham Wetland: The Silted and Encroached Marshland
Once a thriving habitat, Haigham is now plagued with silt buildup, encroachment, and illegal land use conversions into orchards and paddy fields. The EPG’s on-ground research reveals that even retired and serving employees of the Wildlife Department have been implicated in this unauthorized transformation, a clear violation of Ramsar’s guidelines and local environmental laws.
- Concerns of Encroachment: The EPG’s findings underscore the extent of encroachment, with many areas transformed into agricultural land, thereby stripping the wetland of its natural vegetation and reducing its water-holding capacity.
- Call for Accountability: EPG calls for immediate investigation into the role of government employees involved in these unauthorized changes, urging strict enforcement of Ramsar protections to restore Haigham’s ecological balance.
3. Shallabugh Wetland: Victim of Neglect and Bureaucratic Delay
The Shallabugh Wetland’s story is one of neglect and unfulfilled promises. Breaches caused by previous floods remain unrepaired, leaving the area to dry up. While officials cite impending repairs, the delays reflect a lack of urgency and attention to wetland conservation.
- Environmental and Economic Fallout: The drying of Shallabugh means not only a loss of wildlife habitat but also reduced flood absorption, which can exacerbate flooding risks for nearby communities.
- Questioning Priorities: The EPG argues that Shallabugh’s abandonment speaks to a broader misalignment of priorities, where wetland conservation takes a backseat to other concerns. An inquiry into this mismanagement could shed light on systemic issues within the department.
4. Narakarra Wetland/Nambal: Encroachment and Land Mafia Influence
Narakarra serves as a crucial flood absorption area for the Kashmir Valley. Yet, illegal land allotments and constructions threaten this vital wetland. Despite court orders mandating a halt to construction, the EPG reports continued encroachment due to collusion between local officials and land mafias.
- Court Orders Violated: Despite a clear directive from the Division Bench of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh, the EPG highlights that official complacency has allowed encroachment to continue unchecked.
- Environmental Impact: Narakarra’s degradation undermines its function as a natural flood barrier, making downstream communities more vulnerable to flooding. The EPG is pushing for stronger legal action to ensure that the wetland is protected and restored.
Also Read | Worried About Your Online Presence? Here’s How We Make You Stand Out
5. Riverbed Mining: An Overlooked Environmental Crisis
Illegal riverbed mining has become a major environmental issue in Kashmir, impacting rivers, streams, and their ecosystems. The EPG warns that the unchecked use of heavy machinery for extracting minerals has led to riverbank erosion, habitat destruction, and a drop in water tables, posing risks to agriculture and the local water supply.
- Unlawful Practices: Rules allow for small-scale, manual mining to support local livelihoods, but the large-scale use of excavators and JCB machines has inflicted severe damage on the riverbeds.
- Consequences for Agriculture: The resulting water table reduction has disrupted irrigation for local farmers, leading to lower crop yields. The EPG calls for strict enforcement of manual mining laws to preserve these water resources for local communities.
International Obligations and National Commitments Ignored
As a Ramsar signatory, India has an international obligation to preserve its wetlands, a responsibility that includes the wetlands of Jammu and Kashmir. However, the EPG’s findings suggest an outright disregard for these obligations. The Wildlife Department’s inaction and involvement in the degradation of these wetlands reflect a lack of commitment to the environmental and social responsibilities tied to Ramsar guidelines.
- Legal Accountability: The EPG’s report underscores the need for a high-level inquiry to investigate both the bureaucratic and legal failings that have permitted this degradation.
- Appeal to National Authorities: The EPG is also urging the central government to hold local authorities accountable, calling for collaboration between state and federal agencies to restore and protect these ecosystems.
Restoring Kashmir’s Wetlands: EPG’s Vision for Sustainable Conservation
The EPG has laid out several action points for the government to reverse the degradation of Kashmir’s wetlands:
- Conduct a High-Level Inquiry: Investigate and identify the officials and employees implicated in illegal encroachments and resource extraction.
- Enforce Conservation Policies: Implement strict conservation policies, including restoring breached wetlands, regulating riverbed mining, and controlling land use near wetland boundaries.
- Promote Community Involvement: Engage local communities in conservation efforts, empowering them to monitor and protect their natural resources.
- Raise Awareness: Launch awareness campaigns to educate citizens on the ecological and economic importance of wetlands, focusing on the benefits of preservation over exploitation.
Conclusion: A Call to Action for Kashmir’s Future
The Environmental Policy Group’s letter to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is a call to action that underscores the urgent need to protect and restore Kashmir’s fragile wetland ecosystems. With the livelihoods of countless communities at stake and the ecological balance of the region threatened, decisive action cannot be delayed. Kashmir’s wetlands are more than scenic landscapes; they are vital ecosystems that support agriculture, biodiversity, and flood control. In addressing the crisis, the Jammu and Kashmir government has an opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to environmental stewardship and to fulfill its Ramsar obligations.
“The degradation of Kashmir’s wetlands is not only an environmental crisis but a threat to the heritage and future of the region. We implore the government to act decisively to safeguard these irreplaceable natural resources,” concludes Faiz Ahmad Bakshi, EPG Convenor.
Through sustained conservation efforts and accountable governance, there remains hope to revive Kashmir’s wetlands, preserving them for future generations and protecting the communities that rely on them.
Also Read | Unlocking the Secrets of Kashmiri Cuisine: The Magic of Dried Cockscomb Flower (Mawal)
Press Release
The Environmental Policy Group (EPG) has written to Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah demanding a high-level enquiry into the Systematic death and destruction of Kashmir’s Premier Wetlands due to callous attitude and mismanagement by Wildlife Department officials.
The Environmental Policy Group (EPG), an environmental advocacy group dedicated to promoting sustainable environmental policies in Jammu and Kashmir, has issued an urgent appeal to the J&K government to take immediate action to address the alarming degradation of the region’s premier wetlands.
In a strongly worded letter addressed to the Honorable Chief Minister, Mr Omar Abdullah, the EPG has highlighted the dire conditions of internationally-recognized wetlands such as Hokersar, Haigham, Shallabugh, and Mirgund, which are facing systematic destruction and mismanagement.
“These wetlands, which should be teeming with life, water, flora, and fauna, are now rapidly becoming dry and barren lands. It is a tragic irony that the very officials tasked with conserving these areas have become the agents of their destruction.”
The EPG’s findings from on-the-ground visits present a grim picture of the state of these vital ecosystems:
Hokersar Wetland, once known as the “Queen of Wetlands,” is now gasping for breath, with repeated failures to meet deadlines for water restoration. The wetland may not even be able to host migratory birds this season, further compromising its ecological importance.
Haigham Wetland is in a particularly dire condition, with silt accumulation, widespread encroachment, and the conversion of wetland areas into orchards and paddy fields. Shockingly, some of these encroachments involve retired and serving employees of the Wildlife Department, a clear violation of the Ramsar Convention’s protection mandate.
Shallabugh Wetland has been neglected, with breaches caused by last year’s flooding left unrepaired, leading to the wetland drying up. The Wildlife Department’s claims of impending repairs raise questions about the prioritization of these critical issues.
Narakarra Wetland/Nambal: The Environmental Policy Group ( EPG ) is deeply concerned about the encroachment and destruction of Narakarra Wetland- an important flood absorption basin. Despite status quo orders issued by the Division Bench of Jammu , Kashmir & Ladakh , the land mafia with official patronage have continued to play havoc with it by colonising it. Moreover, the land has also been allocated to some educational institutions. This needs to be seriously enquired into and violators / responsible personnel brought to book.
RiverBed Mining: The illegal Riverbed Mining of Minor Minerals has caused severe damage and destruction to Rivers/Nallah’s. Every Rule in the Book has been violated. The Rules provide for Manual mining to provide livelihood and income to local communities but the mafia has resorted to the use of JCB’s, Excavators and other heavy machinery to excavate not only minor minerals like sand and bujree but huge boulders in the depths thereby demolishing banks, denuding the Nallah’s / streams which is likely to have disastrous consequences of degradation of environment
and eco-system, failure of agriculture due to shortage of irrigation on account of fall of water table . It will also be a huge risk to the population due to the uncontrolled flow of water during heavy rains and floods.
Across these wetlands, the EPG has documented widespread illegal encroachment and extraction of resources, often with the apparent collusion of Wildlife Department officials. The “Mitti Mafia” has been particularly active in Hokersar, where large quantities of soil have been clandestinely removed.
“The drying up of our premier wetlands has caught the attention of wetland experts of international repute, but our calls for action have fallen on deaf ears,”This reflects a casual, non-serious attitude and insensitivity of officials towards this very serious situation,” the letter mentions.
As a signatory to the Ramsar Convention, India is legally bound to protect and preserve these wetlands, not only for their environmental significance but also to support the local communities that have depended on them for centuries. However, the EPG’s findings suggest a complete disregard for these obligations.
“The restoration of Kashmir’s wetlands is essential not only for the environment but also for the well-being of the local communities,These wetlands are the lifeblood of the region, and their degradation is causing immense hardship to the people who have relied on them for their livelihoods.”
The EPG is now calling for the Jammu and Kashmir government to take immediate and decisive action to address this critical issue. The group is demanding a high-level inquiry into the mismanagement and degradation of these wetlands, as well as urgent steps to restore water levels, investigate illegal activities, and hold those responsible accountable.
“We sincerely hope that under the leadership of Chief Minister Mr. Omar Abdullah, immediate action will be taken to address these issues,”
Faiz Ahmad Bakshi
Convenor -EPG
