Quality of water improving, invertebrates increasing significantly
*Boundary pillars installed for 400 kanals acquired land
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Oct 29: The world famous Gharana Wetland has started regaining its lost magnificence after the acquisition of around 400 kanals of land by the Wildlife Department as quality of water is improving and invertebrates are increasing significantly which will ultimately lead to sharp rise in the arrival of migratory birds during approaching winters.
Situated near the International Border with Pakistan in R S Pura tehsil, Gharana Wetland was shrinking over the years because of varied reasons particularly due to flow of untreated sewage from the households in its vicinity and lack of serious efforts from all the concerned authorities towards its conservation.
The grave issue hogged the limelight when a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed in the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir seeking various directions for restoration of pristine glory of the water body, which is abode for unimaginable number of bird species from different parts of world particularly Siberia.
It was only due to the intervention of the High Court that around 400 kanals of land was acquired by the Wildlife Department to restore the original area of the Gharana Wetland, which according to the High Court, is a jewel on Jammu’s crown.
“The entire acquired land has been mutated in the favour of Wildlife Department and geo-tagged boundary pillars have been installed so as to prevent any attempt to encroach the land in future”, sources in the Wildlife Department told EXCELSIOR, adding even ‘bandh’ has been raised along the acquired land particularly on the sides of populated area.
“Moreover, necessary steps have been taken to prevent entry of drainage water into wetland, which otherwise was major reason behind deterioration in the water quality”, they said while disclosing that due to the steps taken by the Wildlife Department the pollutant and weed load in the water body has started decreasing considerably.
Resultantly, invertebrates and dependent species are increasing in the Gharana Wetland and this will lead to increase in the number of migratory birds visiting the water body during the winter months. Even the quality of water and extent of water body are increasing ever since the conservation measures taken by the Wildlife Department especially after the acquisition of land, sources further informed.
For the convenience of the visitors, by-pass road has been constructed for Gharana Wetland and blacktopping will be carried out shortly. Similarly, adequate space has been earmarked for parking of vehicles.
“Besides developing the water body, the plan includes developing a large park, bird viewing decks, biogas plant, composting plant, wallowing area, STP, perches, reed plantation area and many more common amenities”, said an officer of the Wildlife Department while giving a detailed outline of the development plan of the ‘Gharana Eco-Spot’.
It is pertinent to mention here that Gharana Wetland Conservation Reserve is home to more than 170 species of birds like bar-headed geese, gadwalls, common teals, purple swamp hens, Indian moorhens, black-winged stilts, cormorants, egrets and green shanks. During the peak season, the water body attracts thousands of migratory birds from Central Asia, Mongolia, Russia, China and other countries across the globe offering a great opportunity for bird lovers.
Highlighting the importance of fresh water reserves like lakes and rivers, an officer of the Wildlife Department said such places are best tourist destinations that attract nature lovers. “Our endeavour should be to protect them along with making best out of their beauty and aesthetics,” he said, asserting that along with the nearby Suchetgarh village, Bagh-i-Bhour, this Gharana Wetland is all set to become a tourist hotspot.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
