Pulwama, July 31: Authorities in Pulwama district have initiated an anti-encroachment drive at the Chatlam Wetland in Pampore Tehsil, a prominent ecological site in south Kashmir.
According to officials, several kanals of the wetland have been illegally occupied by miscreants over the years.
Nasir Ahmad Sheikh, Range Officer Wetlands, informed Rising Kashmir that the drive commenced on Tuesday with the demolition of a few unauthorized structures.
“All encroached land at Chatlam Wetland will be evicted,” he said, adding that they are awaiting the land demarcation to assess the full extent of the encroachments.
Chatlam, known for its scenic beauty, is the largest wetland in south Kashmir. It occupies a distinguished position among other wetlands in Pampore, which includes Fashkoori, Manibugh and Kranchoo.
While these wetlands are well-maintained, Chatlam stands out due to its annual influx of migratory birds from Eurasia during winter, Sheikh said.
Despite its ecological significance, portions of Chatlam have been appropriated for agriculture and structures such as bathrooms, cowsheds and tin sheds.
Officials said that the Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir has directed the concerned Tehsildar to lead a joint effort against the encroachers.
On Tuesday, a patch of land was reclaimed, and several illegal structures were dismantled. “The demarcation of the wetland, essential for the drive’s success, is underway,” the officials said.
Iftikhar Ahmad, Naib Tehsildar of the concerned area, said that only two survey numbers at Chatlam have been demarcated using an Electronic Total Station (ETS) machine, with four more pending. “We need to ensure precision in the measurement,” he said, expressing hope that the drive would be fully launched within August.
“Once the demarcation is completed, we will retrieve all encroached land,” Sheikh assured, highlighting the importance of preserving this critical habitat for migratory birds and maintaining its ecological integrity.
