Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 25: The Department of Wildlife Protection, Jammu & Kashmir Government, has reaffirmed that no fresh encroachments have occurred in the Hokersar wetland in recent years and that strict protection mechanisms are in place, including GIS-mapped boundary surveillance, regular field patrolling and active legal enforcement where necessary.
In a statement issued here, today it said Hokersar designated as a Ramsar Site of international importance and notified under the Wildlife Protection Act, remains one of the most ecologically vital freshwater marshes in the Kashmir Valley. According to officials, the wetland spans 13.54 square kilometres and has been fully delineated in the Department’s KML-based geospatial records. While the Department acknowledges the presence of some legacy cultivation practices in fringe areas, particularly seasonal paddy farming, these activities are being systematically curtailed through notices, legal proceedings and ecological interventions as per provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act,1972.
In response to disputes raised at certain points with regard to the demarcation exercise conducted in 2019–20, a Joint Demarcation Committee was constituted by the Assistant Commissioner Revenue (ACR), Budgam and an Electronic Total Station (ETS) survey was carried out to scientifically resolve the contested boundaries. The final authenticated report from the Revenue Department is awaited and coordination is ongoing to ensure the full legal validation of the wetland’s boundaries.
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