SHAKEELA ANDRABI
SRINAGAR: Wildlife Protection Department, Wetlands Division Kashmir in collaboration with Department of School Education Kashmir organised a function to mark closing ceremony of 78th ‘Wildlife Week-2022’ at wetland Hokersar.
During weeklong celebrations, various events were held in almost every part of Kashmir with a theme ‘Recovering key species for ecosystem restoration’; to draw attention of people to conservation of some of the most endangered species of wild fauna and flora. In a message, the officials Wildlife Protection Department have appealed to people that there is need to create awareness among society for protection of precious Wetlands. “We are urging people not to make any contact with wild animals. In case, if anyone comes in contact with any wild animal, don’t panic and just contact officials as they will deal with the situation.
It should be kept in mind that if there is any kind of provocation, there are chances of damage. Moreover, as per Wildlife Act 1971, any kind of hunting is prohibited in J&K but it has been observed that man-animal conflicts are increasing in Kashmir valley particularly in North Kashmir, resulting in killing of a number of people including little children besides injuring several others,” they added.
Moreover, as per the data, J&K wetlands shrunk have by 2372 Kanals in 10 years. The main factors responsible for the same are excessive habitat destruction, pollution, and heavy human interference. Environmental activists and admirers of nature are concerned about the declining trend as J&K is losing its ‘green gold’ at an alarming rate. “Wetlands offer habitat and a haven for biodiversity as well as assist in development of species resilience to safeguard it from population decrease. Due to habitat loss, pollution, excessive use of aquatic resources, tourism, and the introduction of invasive exotic species along with foreign diseases and parasites, wetland biodiversity is being lost.
The usefulness of wetland ecosystems in assisting to slow and reverse biodiversity decrease must be acknowledged more widely,” the report reads.
The number of wetlands added to Ramsar sites and require conservation for their resuscitation was also include Surinsar-Mansar Lakes (350-hectares), Wular Lake (18,900 hectares), Hygam Wetland Conservation Reserve (802 hectares), Shallbugh Wetland Conservation Reserve (1675 hectares), and Hokersar Wetland (1375 hectares).
With a proposed budgeted commitment of Rs 46.70 crore, J&K government has developed an Integrated Management Action Plan to conserve wetlands in Kashmir. According to Action Plan, a total budget of Rs 46.70 crore is suggested for five-year (2022-27) period, with Rs 18.93 crore allocated for the overall investment followed by Rs 13.15 crore for Biodiversity Conservation and Rs 7.49 crore for imparting awareness and Eco-Tourism. Moreover, Rs 80 lakh crore has been earmarked for Sustainable Resource Development and Livelihood Development and Rs 6.33 crore for Institutional Development,” the reports reads.