Srinagar, April 25: Environmentalists in Kashmir have sounded alarm bells about the reports of the planned construction work in the Hokarsar wetland near Srinagar, often called as the “Queen of Wetlands”.
Pertinently, the Hokersar wetland is internationally acknowledged and registered under RAMSAR CONVENTION – a treaty to which more than 180 Countries including India are signatories for conservation of Wetlands of international importance.
Environmental Policy Group (EPG), an active environmental watchdog in Kashmir, has expressed deep concern about the planned construction of a college right in the middle of the wetland.
“Firstly, a deep drain was dug, which ensured the flow of water out of Hokersar, reducing this wetland, the natural habitat of more than 600000 migratory birds. That resulted in drying up of large tracts of the wetland, turning it into a barren land and a cattle grazing ground”, Faiz Bakshi
Convenor of Environmental Policy Group told Ziraat Times.
“Furthermore, Hokersar is being fragmented into plots by land mafia (of course with official blessings). Nothing could be more shocking than to see the fate of this centuries old Wetland”, he said.
“And now construction for a degree college has been undertaken right inside this wetland at Butt No 3 from Soibug, Budgam side. Previously, a Station was constructed, and, now, this Degree College will put yet another nail in the coffin of Hokersar”, EPG members observed.
“It is a very very sad day. One wonders who plans, visualises and executes such thoughtless and disastrous construction projects in environmentally fragile lands”, Mr Balshi said, adding, “how can one imagine a degree college – an educational institute imparting degrees – built upon the graveyard of a famous wetland?”, he asked.
