Cleaning of water bodies
There is a massive drive going on in Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir to clean the water bodies of importance and there is focus on the wetlands also to keep the biodiversity healthy.
In this direction recently the Divisional Commissioner visited the wetland of Hokersar and asked the officials to do more on the ground for the preservation of such natural resources.
He said wetlands are biological hot spots and play pivotal roles in the conservation of nature. Our wetlands attract aves from Siberia and other cold places which present beautiful views for bird lovers.
Government has prepared a detailed plan to promote wetlands including Wular, Hokersar, Hygam, Shalbugh and other places, he said. Meanwhile, he appealed to people residing on the banks of wetlands not to treat wetlands as wastelands but get involved in protection of these natural resources. Instead, he asked them to create watch towers which would attract tourists and generate income for them.
He informed that Hokersar wetland used to have low water level but efforts have been made to increase the water level and further added that Irrigation and Flood Control Department will raise the water level which would be instrumental to attract more birds as well as tourists.
He said that the Wildlife Department is creating awareness and training the people residing around wetlands to create legally permissible tourism infrastructure of watch towers on their own land to earn livelihood.
