A visit to Gharana wetland

Ghar-ana wetland (meaning welcome home) is paradise of migratory birds. Gharana and its adjoining wetlands of Makwal, Kukdian, Abdullian and Pargwal every year receive about 10000 to 20000 migratory birds in winter. All these wetlands are located along the border with Pakistan.
Their existence is threatened because of several human and management factors.All these wetlands are Notified under J&K Wildlife Act and are recognized Important Birding sites by the BNHS but the total neglect of Government, the wildlife department and non cooperative attitude of local famers and administration has put these wetlands under serious threat.

Gharana wetland is located along the border in RS Pura tehsil of Jammu district about 30 kms from Jammu near Gharana village. Earlier this spot alongwith other wetlands was the favourite hunting ground for Shikaris but thanks to the Wildlife Conservation Act that the hunting has stopped. Abdullian wetland is located along the border in RS Pura Tehsil but over the years local farmers have encroached its area and have almost become extinct. Twin wetlands of Makwal and Kukdian are located in the downstream of river Tawi near border with Pakistan. These wetlands are comparatively better in condition but are fast being encroached by the locals and Nomadic Gujjars. If same indifferent approach and neglect of concerned authorities continues it will also meet the same fate as that of Gharana and Abdullian. Pargwal wetlad is a group of Islands and small streams downstream of river Chenab in Akhoor Tehsil of Jammu district. This wetland is also not much known to the citizens of Jammu which is still in a better status.

In the Gharana wetland more than 170 resident and migratory species have been reported by the researchers of Jammu University. Some of the flagship species are Bar headed Geese, Grey Lag Goose, Shelduck, Pochard, Gadwill, Pintail Duck, Mallard, Spoonbills, Common Cranes, Wooly necked Storks and Wigeon, Whistling Teals.

 For the scientific development of the Gharana wetland, J&K Wildlife department recently engaged World Wide Fund for Nature India for the study and drafting of Management Plan for the wetland but the recommendations of the management cannot be implemented till the dispute with regard to the ownership of wetland is settled and farmers and other stakeholders interest are watched. Genuine Issue of payment of compensation to the effected famers needs to be addressed.


 These wetlands are not only home to birds but provide an excellent opportunity to the state government to develop them as Eco-Tourist destinations for attracting National and  tourists. Birding fairs, Bird Watching ad Bird Eco-Tourism is a multimillion dollar tourism industry in the world. We should think of developing wetlands both for the domestic as well as International tourism. If these wetlands are developed, this will give boost to the border tourism as well as alterative tourism opportunity to the tourists visiting Vaishno Devi as well as Kashmir valley. In this effort both Tourism and Wildlife Department can join hands for collaborative investment and development. Development of border wetlands is a win - win situation for both Wildlife as well as Tourism departments.

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