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| Hygam Rakh Wetland fast turning into wasteland | | Encroachment, poaching going on unabated | | Hygam, Mar 4
Notwithstanding the claims of wild life department that over 500,000 migratory birds have arrived in the Valley, famous wetland and hunting park Hygam Rakh wears a deserted look with no birds or tourists seen around.
Owing to official apathy coupled with unabated encroachment by people from near by villages has started telling on the grandeur of this sanctuary once famous for hunting and lofty mountains and pine stretches surrounding it
The famous wetland encompassing an area of about 15000 kanals of land is being ruthlessly being encroached upon, that too right under the nose of authorities who are supposed to guard and protect the bird sanctuary.
The immediate threat to this eco reserve is from the people of Hartar, Arigam, Akhoon pora and Brindupora four villages located in its vicinity. Human interference following unabated encroachment by the people of these villages has greatly affected the ecological balance
The bird sanctuary has the honour of hosting hunting sports that used to attract a great number of foreign tourists every year wear a desolate look with no birds around.
"There used to be huge inflow of migratory birds and other water borne animals, but this year the strength has come down to a very low number due to human interference in the backdrop of colossal encroachment coupled with neglect of concern authorities” An elderly local resident, Mohammed Sultan Bhat told News Agency of Kashmir adding “the flow of migratory birds has decreased to an alarming level."
"Different bird species used to come to breed in this wetland that has grass and scrubs alternating with small varied water bodies – an ideal environ for them but things have changed for the worst this year”, said an official working in the Sanctuary
“Some residents of village Hygam approached to higher authorities several times however despite repeated assurances nothing has been done to stop the encroachment so far” lamented Mohammad Amin from the same village
"We are losing a precious and economic boosting natural asset and government should do something immediately to save this natural bounty, if government would not pay any heed towards its protection we will resort to protest," they said.
Mohammed Rafiquee Bhat, a shopkeeper on way to wetland says,"The bird sanctuary had been a delight for bird watchers both native and foreign. But it is very unfortunate that we are cutting the same branch of the tree on which we are sitting, we have change our attitude of harming nature as it retaliates in the shape of earth quakes, diseases and what not."
He shrugs saying that the neighboring villages are polluting the wetland and bird sanctuary since past few years but the authorities is watching all this as mute spectators.
When contacted wild life authorities, the authorities remain tight lipped on the matter. |
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