Officials asked to preserve ‘deteriorated’ Hokarsar
Srinagar: The government has issued directives to the officials to preserve the Hokersar, officials said Monday.
An official of Wild Life Department said that influx of sewage and solid waste from flood spill channel has led to “deterioration” of the Hokarsar wetland.
The official said that Chief Engineer Irrigation and Flood Control Department has been directed to construct hydraulic gates at the entry and exit points of Hokerkar wetland in order to maintain minimum water level in the wetland.
“He has been directed to dispose of the dredged material outside the periphery of Hokersar wetland and some of it shall be utilize for raising and strengthening of the bunds,” the official said.
The Director Housing and Urban Development Department has been directed to ensure complete ban on the dumping of solid waste on the banks of Hokersar wetland and the respective district development commissioners shall monitor the progress, the official added.
Owing to its immense ecological value, Hokersar has been declared as Conservation Reserve under the Jammu and Kashmir Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1978. It was also declared as Ramsar site on November 8, 2005 under the Ramsar Convention. India is a signatory to the Ramsar Convention- an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable utilization of wetlands. (KNT)
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