Revenue Dept constitutes team for wetland demarcation in Budgam

Budgam, Feb 15: Despite continuous government notices regarding the demarcation of Hokersar wetland land, the process remains incomplete, prolonging disputes between local farmers and the wetlands authorities.

The demarcation drive, initiated to resolve long-standing land conflict in several Budgam villages—including Daharmuna, Soibugh, Gotpora and adjacent areas—has remained stalled for months. Locals allege that the Wetland Department continues to take agricultural land without the consent of farmers. “We were happy when the government finally heard our voice. The farmers’ land was being taken without demarcation, and an official order was issued to settle the matter. But everything stopped midway,” said a local resident.

The demarcation of the Hokersar wetland was completed in April last year using an Electronic Total Station (ETS) machine. As per the Assistant Commissioner Revenue (ACR) Budgam’s order (DCB/SQ/2025-26/Demarcation/1426 dated 04-06-2025), boundary pillars were to be erected in June. However, locals say no such markers were installed.

Another resident said installing boundary markers would help end encroachments and disputes. “We were waiting for the machinery to complete the process. But we were later told the work had been stopped due to unknown reasons,” he said. Earlier, the ACR Budgam had constituted a team of 18 officers for the demarcation through an order issued on 13 March 2025. The team consisted of the Range Officer Hokersar Wetland, Naib Tehsildars of Humhama, Soibugh, and Narbal, Block Officers of Hokersar and Narkara Wetlands, and Patwaris of multiple villages.

Last year, several villages saw up to 50 per cent decline in rice production after water from Hokersar entered paddy fields, submerging vast tracts of farmland in Hajibugh, Narbal, Chooripora, Wadwan, Gotpora, Daharmuna, Soibugh, and Arath.

Farmers say mismanagement of irrigation gates worsened the situation. “The main gate was not maintained. With continuous rains, water overflowed and flooded our fields. The entire crop was lost,” said Fayaz Ahmad, a farmer. Another cultivator, Farooq Ahmad, said no preventive measures had been taken since the 2014 floods. “No dredging, no canal clearance, bunds unrepaired—our land gets submerged every year,” he said. Farmers are also burdened by soaring labour costs due to waterlogged fields. “This year we cut wet rice crop as fodder for cattle. Labour charges doubled,” said Shabir Ahmad.

Several farmers accused the Hokersar Wetland Authority of deliberately submerging agricultural land, claiming that the recent demarcation exercise has left many cultivated areas marked as wetland, halting farming activities. To push the long-pending demarcation work, the Budgam administration has constituted a new 16-member team drawn from the Revenue and Forest departments. Administrative and environmental experts say completing the demarcation is crucial for protecting Hokersar—an internationally recognized wetland that supports rich biodiversity, including migratory birds, and functions as a vital flood buffer. Deputy Commissioner Budgam, Dr Bilal Mohi-Ud-Din, visited the Hokersar site on January 31 to assess ongoing demarcation work. He reviewed the installation and extension of boundary pillars and stressed the need for accuracy, transparency, and time-bound completion to ensure protection of this ecologically vital wetland.

By: Aala Bukhari