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| Expert concerned over threat to Ladakh wetlands | | | Early Times Report
Jammu, May 07- While the threat of global warming has alarmed the entire world community since past few years, back home in India it has been threatening the very existence of high altitude Himalayan wetlands in general and wetlands of Ladakh in particular. Ladakh has three main high altitude wetlands of Pangong Tso, Tso Morari and Tokhar which have been witnessing massive tourist activity thus threatening these wetlands.
“Major challenges to the high altitude wetlands of Ladakh include unplanned and unregulated tourism, tourist season coinciding with peak biological activity, infrastructure, tremendous grazing pressure, lack of awareness among the stakeholders, emerging threat of climate change and lack of coordination among various developmental agencies”, said Pankaj Chandan, India Coordinator, Himalayan High Altitude Wetlands Conservation program while speaking at an extension lecture on the theme “Conservation and Management of Himalayan High Altitude Wetlands with a Focus on Black-necked Crane” organized by the Friends of Ladakh Society, University of Jammu , J&K in collaboration with The Vijay Suri Foundation at the Seminar Hall of DSRS, Social Sciences Block, University of Jammu here today.
Informing that the Himalayan high altitude wetlands of J&K not only support the unique biodiversity in the region but are also source of livelihood for the local communities, he said at the regional level these wetlands also act as source of major rivers originating from the regions and supports billions and billions of people in the downstream regions. Forty per cent of the world’s population is dependent on water coming from Himalayas, he added.
Enumerating few challenges before the conservationists working in areas like Ladakh, he said high altitude areas are very tough and difficult to work, working season is very short, and conservation outcome also depends on political situation. He said ownership of the conservation activities should be given to the local communities, conservation activities should be related to economic incentives and conservation should also help in improving the livelihood of poor and vulnerable communities
Chandan who has worked extensively on the Himalayan high altitude wetlands which are one of the most unique ecosystems in the world and he has been managing WWF-India's High Altitude Wetland Conservation project in the states of J&K, Himachal Pradesh, Uttrakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal, said high altitude wetlands were crucial for biodiversity and for sustainable economic growth not only locally but also at a river basin and regional levels. These, he said, regulate micro-climates immense livelihood, cultural and spiritual significance
The presentation also gave an overview of Black-necked Crane which is a state bird of the state of Jammu & Kashmir and uses these high altitude wetlands as its breeding ground
Speaking at the occasion, Professor Anita Charak Billawaria, Secretary, Friends of Ladakh Society, University of Jammu, who is also heading Centre for History and Culture of Jammu and Ladakh regions, University of Jammu, said that the FoL has been working relentlessly for the past few years in the field of art and culture. She informed that "Friends of Ladakh" is a group of people who share common interests about Ladakh. Centre for History and Culture of Jammu and Ladakh Regions, University of Jammu is the nodal agency for this group while The Vijay Suri Foundation (TVSF) is a social organization working in the field of art, culture and languages. She informed that the Society would be organizing many activates in the near future including Ladakh food festival.
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