Riyaz Bhat
Srinagar, Feb 2: Known for its avian genus, several species of global conservation in Wular Lake are at the brink of extinction.
According to the official documents, five migratory bird species of global conservation in Wular Lake have been categorized as critically endangered.
These species include White-bellied Heron, Pink-headed Duck, Baer’s Pochard and Kashmir Catfish.
Located in the foothills of Harmukh Mountain, Wular Lake is Asia’s second-biggest freshwater lake.
The Lake has a total area of 200 square kilometers, with a length of about 24 kilometers and a width of 10 kilometers.
The official documents further reveal that the species like Oriental Stork, White-headed Duck, White-winged Duck and Black-bellied Tern have been categorized as in endangered category.
Besides, species like Black-necked Crane, Indian Skimmer, Marbled Teal, Asla and Common Carp have been seen as vulnerable.
The documents, while mentioning the species richness, said that in Wular Lake there are 56 types of birds, 39 types of fishes and twenty plus different types of plants.
Stating the threats to the Lake, it reads that the construction of embankments, siltation, pollution and encroachment of Willow plantation are some of the major threats to the Lake.
Meanwhile, the latest data maintained by the Wetlands of India Portal of the Ministry of Environment, forest and climate change of Government of India, there are two lakes and a wetland in Jammu and Kashmir that have been listed under the threat category. The data reveals that the Hokera wetland also known as Hokersar is reeling under the threats of encroachment, invasive species proliferation, pollution and siltation. “Potential threats include recent housing facilities, littered garbage, and demand for increasing tourist facilities.”
Similarly, the Wular Lake has also been listed in the threat category wherein the threats like encroachment, hydrological regime alteration, pollution and siltation has been mentioned.
