Sir,
Editorial “Jammu Wetlands” DE Oct 15 has been nicely written. It states that like Kashmir valley, the wetlands of Jammu Region especially those of Mansar and Suriansar are the most ideal for alluring the tourists from within and outside the country. It has very rightly written that if proper conservation measures are not adopted immediately both these wetlands will vanish like those of Ramgarh and Abdullian. It is because the catchments of both of these wetlands have heavily got deforested and have become denuded. Owing to heavy deforestation and environmental degradation both these wetlands are gradually shrinking and polluting. Not only this, with increased deforestation of the catchments of these wetlands or lakes, the top soil during rains particularly in rainy season becomes loose and finds its way into these wetlands through runoff. Along with the soil there is entry of organic carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus which leads to intensify Eutrophication. Settling of siltdown at the bottom of the wetlands accompanied with eutrophication render these lakes shallow and renders of their water spread areas. The water of these wetlands becomes dirty and toxic especially during rainy season. Hence, it becomes imperative to undertake all the soil and water conservation measures i.e; engineering, agronomical and biological. The last one being more cheap must be adopted. Afforestation of the eroded areas accompanied with planting of grasses are the main biological measures. On higly sloppy lands cultivation of crops should be banned. In such lands medicinal plants-amla, harar, bahera and fruit trees should be grown. To prevent acute shortage of water community water storage tanks are required to be constructed.
For the above said purpose the PDP-BJP Govt is requested to provide more annual grant than Rs 30 lakh to the concerned authority with instructions to utilize the funds effectively. The Govt. should approach the Union Govt. get these wetlands to become beneficiary of Ramsar convention.
Yours etc… Prof. (Dr.) R.D. Gupta
Ex-Associate Dean Cum
Chief Scientist KVK SKUAST, Jammu
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