In many countries, wetlands were regarded as wastelands in the past. Even in developed nations, the authorities were hardly concerned about wetlands. On the other hand, the authorities in Jammu & Kashmir, especially during the Dogra Rule (1846-1947), were much concerned about these biodiversity hubs, and many efforts were made to conserve and protect the wetlands.

In a country like the US, it was believed that wetlands were places to be avoided, and it was common to see them filled with waste and used as dumping grounds. What we have done in Kashmir over the last 20 to 25 years, the people of the US did 100 years ago. A study published by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 1990 revealed that more than 50% of the 221 million acres of wetlands that existed in the lower 48 states in the late 1700s were destroyed. As scientific research was conducted in later years, we came to understand that wetlands are of great importance for our environment and biodiversity. They not only serve as habitats for fish and other aquatic life but also provide fodder for our livestock. Moreover, the wetlands in Jammu & Kashmir act as habitats for millions of migratory birds who visit Kashmir during the winter months. Thus, the importance of our wetlands, such as Wullar, Dal Lake, Hokersar, Chandhara, Shalbugh, or Gharana in Jammu, increases, as they offer many recreational opportunities like fishing, photography, and bird watching. The wetlands also help purify water by filtering sediment and absorbing various pollutants in surface waters. They also aid in groundwater recharge for the adjoining areas, ensuring a constant water supply through tube wells, bore wells, etc. Wetlands along rivers and streams, such as Wullar and Hokersar, absorb energy and store water during storms, reducing downstream flood damage and lessening the risk of flash floods.

Impact of Doodh Ganga on Hokersar

For many years, this author has been fighting a legal battle in the National Green Tribunal (NGT) over Doodh Ganga, which now resembles a large drain. The pollution in Doodh Ganga has a direct impact on the Hokersar wetland, which is a designated Ramsar site. The solid waste, liquid waste, and illegal riverbed mining have choked and destroyed not only Doodh Ganga but also further impacted Hokersar and its entire biodiversity. This pollution in Doodh Ganga has had an adverse effect on the entire ecosystem of this small river and the Hokersar........

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