Home / Environment / Ecological Fears Halt Crucial Wetland Desilting
Ecological Fears Halt Crucial Wetland Desilting
10 Sep
Summary
- Wildlife department objects to desilting in sensitive sanctuary area.
- Harike Wetland lost over 83% water capacity due to siltation.
- Revised plan includes weed removal and habitat restoration.
Proposed desilting of the ecologically sensitive Harike Wetland faces regulatory challenges, with the Punjab wildlife department objecting to activities within the sanctuary. This Ramsar site, crucial for over 390 bird species, has seen its water-holding capacity diminish by more than 83% due to severe siltation. The State Technical Advisory Committee has forwarded the proposal to the National Board for Wildlife for consideration.
The wetland's condition has worsened due to agricultural encroachments and pollution from industrial effluents and urban sewage. Invasive water hyacinth proliferation further threatens biodiversity. Consequently, the current strategy is shifting from solely desilting to a combined approach of engineering and ecological interventions, including invasive weed removal and habitat restoration.
Originally formed in 1952, Harike Wetland supports threatened species like the Indus river dolphin. The revised blueprint aims for long-term sustainability by integrating local economic activities with conservation efforts, addressing the critical decline in its open-water spread from 40% in 1995 to over 21% in 2017.
