Wetland conservation in Kashmir

Srinagar, July 19 (ANI): In the wake of increasing pollution, environmentalists in Srinagar conducted a workshop on the protection of wetlands and migratory birds from environmental hazards and encroachments.

In order to protect the 'Hokersar' wetland and other wetlands of Kashmir, the Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Forests organised the workshop to spread awareness about the conservation of environment.

"It is always better if National Institutes take up our cause and spread the message at national as well as international level. This is how our problems would be appropriately projected. The management urges us to present our issues on a proper forum and also at the right time. The Ministry of Environment and Forests has taken up a very important task to spread awareness among the public," said R.D. Tiwari, organiser and Principal Chief Conservator of forests, Jammu and Kashmir. It is a workshop for understanding the people. The outcome of this workshop would be a proper input for that pilot project, which we have taken up for this state and which has a one year duration," he added.

Experts from various institutions briefed the audience and held discussions about the preservation of wetlands.

The 'Hokersar' wetland is renowned all over the country, as it has around a million migratory birds on display.

The migratory species include grey heron, pond heron, pin tail, blue rot pigeon and alpine swift, but this wetland is gradually losing its charm, due to silt, which comes from Dudhganga catchment area.

However, frequent encroachments by locals have been a cause of great concern. Thus, in order to preserve these wetlands, it is essential that the public is aware about its significance for the balance of the ecological system.

"Kashmir has a lot of wetlands. People know about quite a few wetlands, but are unaware about the others. Wetlands are systems of a greater extent. So, many people don't know about its importance and its value. They don't even know its purpose. So, workshops are necessary to spread awareness among the people, so that they conserve these wetlands. It is very important to sustain our ecological system," said Saba Saleem, wetland expert, lakes and waterways development authority, Jammu and Kashmir. (ANI)