SRINAGAR: Chief Secretary, Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta, Saturday visited the Shallabugh Wetland in the Ganderbal District and took stock of the restoration measures being taken to rejuvenate it to its pristine glory.
Those who accompanied him on the occasion included the Principal Secretary, Forests; Deputy Commissioner, Ganderbal; Chief Wildlife Warden; Regional Wildlife Warden, Kashmir; Superintendent of Police, Ganderbal besides other concerned officers of the Forest Department.
During the visit, Dr Mehta maintained that the Wetland has shown a lot of improvement in the recent past. He observed that the Wetland has a rich diversity of both flora and fauna. It has therefore a great potential to be developed as a major eco-tourism destination. He stressed on taking all measures necessary to conserve both plant and animal life besides desilting the water body. He asked the officers to regularly monitor its dissolved oxygen, pH, and other bioindicators so that they are maintained in the normal range through targeted interventions.
Chief Secretary stated that in order to bring this picturesque place on the tourist map, world-class eco-tourism amenities should be created here for attracting wildlife lovers from all across the country. He urged them to improve the road surface leading to the destination without any delay.
Dr Mehta also impressed on the officers to look into the creation of other facilities like designated parking areas, viewing decks, and landscaping of its surroundings to make them aesthetic and appealing for the tourists. He asked them to involve the local PRIs and the community in the overall planning and restoration measures. He termed their role essential as the local people would be the greatest beneficiaries both in terms of gaining employment and a better environment.
Chief Secretary discussed various issues related to the sustainable conservation of the Wetland and directed immediate measures like Bio-fencing of the lake area using willow species, Solid waste management, procuring of an adequate number of fiberglass boats for visitors, the introduction of ATVs, promoting local homestays in the adjoining villages, zero tolerance against bird hunting and poaching and promoting sustainable use of wetland resources for livelihood improvement of the local villagers.
Dr Mehta also complimented the Regional Wildlife Warden for result-oriented efforts to restore the health of the water body. He expressed hope that with the efficient implementation of an integrated plan, the water body will turn into a great attraction and emerge as one of the favorite new destinations in the valley.
Giving a brief description of the wetland the Regional Wildlife Warden Kashmir Region said that Shallabugh Wetland Reserve is the largest wildlife-protected wetland in Kashmir valley which is spread over an area of 1675 Hectares falling in Districts of Srinagar and Ganderbal. It was also informed that this wetland was declared a Ramsar Site last year.
The Chief Secretary also informed that in the year 2022 about 49 demarcation pillars were erected and out of a total of 5 km of ring embankment, 3 km were completed. Moreover, chainlink fencing of about 958 rft was completed, and 250 cleanliness drives were carried out besides organizing a bird festival and the Asian Waterbird Census 2023.
It was also given out that in the current year, works like completion of ring embankment, installation of 25 Boundary pillars, 1950 Bio-fencing pillars, restoration of navigational channels, water pools, construction of dockyard, watch towers, regulatory gates besides provision of other basic amenities are also scheduled for completion as part of its restoration plan.
