Bund breach at Hokersar wetland affects aquatic life

Srinagar, March 30: A mud bund breach at the Hokersar wetland in Srinagar outskirts near Sozaith has affected the aquatic life and migratory birds raising huge public outcry over the rejuvenation of the wetland.
Local residents of Sozaith informed that a mud bund erected a year ago has breached in the middle of the wetland and it has affected the migratory birds which visit the wetland every year.
Hokersar is a shallow post-glacial water body, flanking the river Jhelum which is running across the valley. Hokersar is a permanent eutrophic lake lies surrounded by freshwater marshes on the flood plain of Jhelum River and is at about 10 Km. west of Srinagar.
Javid Ahmad, a resident of Zainakote said the mud bund was erected last year by the Wildlife Department to maintain water level at the wetland which breached few days ago.
“It is the place where hundreds of migratory birds visit every year. The bund breach has affected aquatic life. The water level has receded and now dogs are moving toward the wetland and they damaged the natural habitat of the birds. At many places birds have laid eggs,” he said.
Javid also said that currently two gates of the wetland are under construction and leakage has created problems for the birds.
Reyaan Sofi, the bird watcher from HMT Srinagar, said all the water would be drained out if the Wildlife Department doesn’t take matter seriously.
“We have requested the Wildlife Department to intervene in the matter. Till today they have not visited the wetland. We have requested them to do something to erect the wall in order to save the wetland from damage. This time there are migratory birds and it will affect them severely,” he said.
The residents said for any wetland to thrive and get rejuvenated, adequate water level is essential.
As per officials in order to regulate and manage the desired water in Hokersar, Department of Irrigation and Flood Control Kashmir has started the process of constructing 80 M span hydraulic Sluice gate at the exit point near Sozaith village.
Once this intervention is completed this will give a boost to permanently resolving the issue to hold adequate water supply in Hokersar in all the seasons.
Wildlife Warden, Wetlands Division Kashmir, Ifshan Deewan said the department is working for conserving the wetlands including the Hokersar wetland.
“Yes we are aware of the same. The Bund has breached. We will try to recover it. Such walls and bunds often breach due to natural or manmade causes. We don’t know the exact reason we are taking action on it. We have planned many activities for its conservation,” she said.