Visit to Gharana Wetland by Samriti Sharma

 Wetland:

 A wetland is a distinct ecosystem that is flooded by water, either permanently (for years or seasonally (for weeks or months).

 Wetlands are considered among the most biologically diverse of all ecosystems, serving as home to a wide range of plant and animal species.


  GHARANA WETLAND:

Location:Gharana wetland is located along the border in RS Pura tehsil of Jammu district about 30 kms from Jammu near Gharana village.


It is 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. Gharana wetland conservation reserve (GWCR) is a semi-arid wetland adjacent to agricultural areas on the Indo-Pakistani border. Despite being declared an Important Bird Area (IBA) by Birdlife International, the occurrence and distribution of birds has not been well-documented in this area.Gharana wetland 35 kms from Jammu in RS Pura close to the border with Pakistan are among the old and well-known wetlands where birds come as winter visitors. 


Gharana is partially covered with various water plants - water hyacinth , Eichhornia crassipes , Hydrilla , Typha species.




MAJOR ATTRACTIONS:

Bird watchers say that the birds of various species that are the annual visitors to Gharana Wetland come from Siberia in Russia and from Central Asia .They come to spend two months of harsh winter in their places of origin where food becomes scarce .It is reported that they fly along a chosen route year after year and they land at one or two halting stations in between the long flight from Siberia to India.

From past many generations the birds are seen coming to Gharana Wetland for winter vacations.the birds that flock in groups are of different species like Siberian Cranes, Keel, Grey Heron, Common Teal, Little Grebe, Northern Pintail, Ruddy, Grey Key Goose, Shoveler, Marchland, Gadwall and even Kingfisher. Most of these birds come from Central Asiaand Northern Europe , 'The bar Headed Geese ' is the main attraction.




The right time for visiting the Gharana Wetland reserve for witnessing a splendid bird watching opportunity is December- March.


I visited this splendid site during my college trip in early December.Though ,I missed the opportunity of watching bar headed geese but I was able to see some other beautiful creatures there.


" panchi,Nadiya Pawan ke jhonke ...koi sarhad na inhe roke"







Gharana Wetland is struggling for its Survival..


Gharana Wetland which at one point of time , is said to have been about 200 acres huge lake - like wetland is now reduced to a filthy and polluted 0.75 square km area on which about 5,000 birds sit.

 Local people say that at a time when the wetland was of original dimensions and without pollutions nearly 25,000 birds of different species visited it annually and this made a spectacular sight for the people and visitors.

 Causes for its shrinkage : 

 Improper drainage, Degradation of wetland from pollution , Encroachment ,Groundwater withdrawals .

Waste of the homes and Cattle goes into the reservoir and silt has reduced it further.



All in All unsustainable human activities are the main reason for destruction of this beautiful natural environment i .e the pride of J&K.

The  concrete and major steps should be taken by the administration to give a new life to this wonderful Marsh which is favourite site of the migratory birds.

Bibliography :

The photos ,and videos are clicked by me and the information is taken from internet.

Post By:

Samriti Sharma 

02-MSZ-20



 



 


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