Concerned over unscientific release of water from Hokersar wetland: EPG

Srinagar, Jul 8:  The Environmental Policy Group (EPG) has expressed serious concern and deep anguish over the abrupt and unscientific release of water from the Hokersar Wetland by the Wildlife Department and the Irrigation & Flood Control Department.

In a press release, it said that this action has caused the water level—usually maintained at 4 to 5 feet—to drop sharply, leading to the drying up of vast portions of the wetland and inflicting severe ecological damage.

The immediate consequence of this release is a looming threat to the lives of nearly 10,000 breeding birds currently in the wetland. Many of these birds are newly hatched and lack the ability to fly or migrate to safer habitats. With the wetland drained, these birds now face death by exposure and starvation, marking a distressing ecological crisis.

“Hokersar is a Ramsar-declared wetland under an international treaty that mandates the Government to ensure its protection and conservation. The recent actions not only violate these international obligations but also go against the rulings of the Hon’ble High Court of Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh, the Hon’ble National Green Tribunal, and the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India. These institutions have directed all State and UT Governments to undertake comprehensive ground-truthing of wetlands by March 31, 2025. However, the status of this critical process in Jammu & Kashmir remains unclear, despite the passing of the deadline,” it said.

The EPG has received credible reports that the water release may have been executed to benefit encroachers who have illegally cultivated paddy in large parts of the Hokersar Wetland. These individuals reportedly seek lower water levels for their activities and are alleged to enjoy political protection. Such misuse of public resources and protected ecological zones not only compromises the environment but also erodes public trust in conservation efforts, it further said.

The Environmental Policy Group has for years worked towards the protection of Hokersar and was instrumental in advocating the construction of controlled inlet and outlet gates to manage water levels responsibly. The Government had sanctioned and spent Rs 45 crore for this infrastructure. However, its misuse by vested interests has undermined both the ecological purpose and the public investment.

This incident has occurred at a time when Kashmir is grappling with serious environmental challenges. Erratic weather, rapid glacial melting, water scarcity, and rising temperatures are all threatening the ecological balance and livelihood systems of the region. Wetlands like Hokersar are not only biodiversity hotspots but also natural water reservoirs that regulate flow, mitigate floods, and sustain communities through responsible harvesting of Nadru, water chestnuts, and other aquatic produce. Any attempt to tamper with these natural systems is environmentally and economically self-defeating.

“What further compounds the issue is the silence and inaction of public representatives from the affected areas. In the face of visible ecological destruction, such absence of accountability is deeply troubling,” said the press release.

In view of the seriousness of the matter, the Environmental Policy Group has formally sought the urgent intervention of  Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, along with Muhammad Yousuf Tarigami, Chairman, House Committee on Forest & Environment, the Chief Secretary, Government of Jammu & Kashmir, and the Commissioner/Secretary, Forest & Environment Department. The Group has urged that the outlet gates be immediately closed to restore water levels, a high-level inquiry be conducted into the circumstances that led to the water release, and decisive action be taken against those involved in illegal encroachments and misuse of the wetland, it added.

The EPG has also submitted photographic and video documentation capturing the scale of damage to the wetland and the distress faced by the bird population. It is hoped that these visuals will reinforce the need for urgent and resolute action. The Environmental Policy Group remains committed to the protection of Hokersar and all wetlands of Jammu & Kashmir and expresses hope that the Government will respond swiftly and effectively to prevent any further environmental degradation, it said in a press release.