THE ULTIMATE BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOT OF JAMMU - GHARANA WETLAND -By ANNU SHARMA

 WETLAND

Simply stated, wetlands are parts of our landscape that are defined by the presence of water. More specifically, wetlands are areas where the presence of water determines or influences most, if not all, of an area's biogeochemistry—that is, the biological, physical, and chemical characteristics of a particular site.

    

GHARANA WETLAND

Gharana, a dying wetland, is located merely 500 m from the international border between India and Pakistan, situated in Jammu province (boundaries yet to be demarcated) harbours around 50 species of wintering waterbirds.

(Also known as Bird watchers paradise)

Site description

The Gharana wetland is important for migratory birds and more than 20,000 birds are seen during winter

The left side of the wetland is bounded by a village, Gharana (hence the name) while on the right are agricultural fields.

      Location        RS pura,Jammu ,J&k

       Area.              200  acres 

       Status.            Despite being designated as a ‘Conservation Reserve’ a decade ago by the Government of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) and also declared as an ‘Important Bird Area (IBA)’ by international organisations, the neglected, dying wetland is still struggling for legal status (The Times of India 2018).

      Highlight.        BAR HEADED GOOSE

MAIN ATTRACTION

The world's highest altitude migrants, Bar-headed goose is the highlight at Gharana wetland. These migratory birds cover more than 1000 miles distance in a single day. These birds migrate to Gharana for a hospitable habitat from freezing temperatures of Central Asia.

KEY BIODIVERSITY

VEGETATION

Gharana partially covered with various water plants — water hyacinth Eichhornia crassipes, Hydrilla spp. and Typha spp.

FAUNA 

Cattle egret, Black stork, northern pintail, common teal, northern shoveler, red-wattled lapwing, rock pigeon, ruddy shelduck, laughing dove, common sand piper, black Duronto, yellow wagtail, red-vented bulbul, bay-backed shrike etc.

THREATS 

Gharana Wetland Conservation Reserve along the India-Pakistan border in RS Pura is striving to survive. Local people say that the ecosystem is facing an existential threat as its land is being encroached and reservoir is shrinking as it is getting filled with silt and waste.

Reservoir receives the waste of homes and cattle and it has deteriorated its condition. Despite the fact that these birds damage locals’ crops, people believe that this wetland could earn them a living if the government had built it in a sustainable manner.

CONSERVATION

J&k Govt. would  implement a management plan for next five years for the conservation of the wetland after taking over the land.

"Though they do de-weeding from time-to-time, the additional land for wetland will be immediately used for the preservation measures like extension, birds-grazing points, fencing, management of garbage, bio-gas plant for villagers, waste (from locality) to be channelized out of wetland and other such steps will be taken to promote eco-friendly tourism.

Wetlands help to moderate climate conditions . Let's protect , Revive and Restore our "GHARANA WETLAND" for a sustainable Future.

 Together we can make a difference . Save Biodiversity-Save Life.

POST BY - 

                 ANNU SHARMA 

                  31-MSZ-20