EPG team makes fact-finding visit of Shallabugh & Hokersar Wetlands

SRINAGAR, OCT 8: In a distressing ground report from Shallabugh wetland of Kashmir, which was declared a Ramsar Site just in June 2022, the wetland has presented a heartbreaking sight for the members of a fact finding mission which visited the site.

Covering 1675 hectares or 33,500 kanals, this so-called “wetland” has transformed into a dry and barren pasture, devoid of any water, the team found during its visit there. The Environmental Protection Group (EPG) team thoroughly explored the area, finding no signs of water, and observed that it was an embarrassment to label it as a “wetland”. It more closely resembles a vast, desolate landscape, according to a visiting team.

The EPG team comprised of :
1) Dr. M. M. Shuja (EPG Co-Convenor)
2) Er Ajaz Rasool
3) Dr.Tauseef Bhat
4) Ahmad Ayaz
5) Syed Adil
6) Dr. Athar Masoodi
7) Reyan Sofi
8) Javaid Ganie
9) Mushtaq Wani
10) Syed Farhat
11) Dr.Riyaz Qureshi
12) Dr. Ashiq Shah
13) Faiz Bakshi

A notable development is the presence of a bund that encompasses over half of the 33,000 kanals, which effectively prevents any water from reaching this area, as evidenced by the hardened ground. One can’t help but suspect that this bund’s construction might have been premeditated, possibly with plans to turn it into a housing colony or in collaboration with powerful land mafias controlling land across the region.

Shallabugh relies on rainwater, snowmelt, and a stream from Sindh and Anchar for its sustenance. During their visit, the EPG team observed ongoing work to raise the bund, with excavators and trucks involved in soil removal. It seems they are creating artificial pools that may give the illusion of water when it rains, but these would hardly resemble the Ramsar Site that Shallabugh is designated to be.

The date, October 8th, holds significance as it’s the time when migratory birds have historically flocked to our wetlands for centuries. Yet, on this day, renowned birdwatcher Reyan Sofi managed to capture just one bird in his frame after hours of effort. This dry spell might be attributed to the current situation, but questions remain about what actions the Department is taking for the conservation of Shallabugh and other wetlands. One potential explanation could be the extensive siltation that has accumulated in our wetlands, which should have been regularly addressed by the Department.

The EPG team, consisting of various experts and environmentalists, is deeply concerned about the state of our natural resources, highlighting the need for urgent action.

In contrast, there is reassuring progress in Hokersar, as observed during EPG’s third visit. Development is underway to construct inlet and outlet gated regulators, which will control the water levels in the Hokersar Wetland. Additionally, there is significant excavation work in progress, overseen by the Irrigation & Flood Control Department officers, who guided the EPG team during their visit.

Surprisingly, no officers were present at Shallabugh, despite ongoing earthwork, the fact finding mission found.