We, very frequently indulge in talking about as to why tourism does not pick up in this part of the country. Debates, speeches and even seminars etc are held being symptomatic of only routine formalities about the subject and when it comes to solutions and active efforts towards finding newer points of tourist attraction and developing the existing ones into lucrative potential tourist attractions, we shrug our shoulders or pass on the buck to others. If it is not so, why is the fate of our four wetland reserves in Jammu hanging in balance so far as their development is concerned although much is not needed to be done. Situated in Pargwal, Sangral, Kukrian and Nanga , these four wetland reserves of Jammu are laced with huge potential for promotion of tourism as they are abode to diverse species of birds who feather their ways to these wetlands from different corners of the world.
It is pathetic to learn, especially for the lovers of nature, that these wetlands are craving and yearning for reasonable due attention from the concerned authorities for over nearly four decades. Hard shelled appear to be those who are required to take the initiative and action on ground but are found wanting in the same, even disregarding the directions of the State High Court for conservation of all the water bodies so as to reduce the impact of floods. These wetlands duly notified by the State Forest Department under the provisions of Jammu and Kashmir Wildlife Protection Act 1978 describe the areas of each wetland which runs into thousands of acres and their boundaries spread over a vast area of surrounding villages.
The main objective behind notification of these wetland reserves was to ensure their proper conservation as also make them spots of tourist attraction by developing view points and providing other facilities required by the visiting tourists. It is not only the issue of whose duty it is to look after them and develop them in discharging of official commitments and obligations but it is the love for nature, the love for the spots and an urge to take innovative steps with a whiff of doing something for promoting tourism in this part of the State. However, even after 37 years of the notification, the entire issue is no body’s baby. Everyone expected to be connected to the issue is getting one’s salary and entitlement to other perks hence no pinch is felt to do something required urgently.
Nature is running far away from us because of its undue neglect and overdrawing from it yet exploiting it with irreversible ill effects. The extent of neglect and “no one’s baby” approach is such that till date, right down these 37 years , these wetland reserves have not been even formally handed over to the Wildlife Protection Department by the Revenue Department. Revenue Department, already making news intermittently due to their various omissions and commissions and repeatedly so, has not bothered to make necessary amends in the revenue records which otherwise was imperative for their proper demarcation and subsequent protection. Relevant records continue to reflect these wetland reserves as “property” of the State Revenue Department. These glaring acts of total indifference from the Revenue Department and other State administrative machinery result in there being no watch and ward procedure leading to poaching activities taking place unabatedly without any hindrance or any checking.
Had there been proper demarcation of these wetland reserves, it would not have been difficult to know their present area and the rate of shrinkage due to various reasons . There is the need to earmark funds for their development on yearly basis so that they are conserved and protected. Kindly protect them, conserve them and develop them to boost tourism, is what we urge the Government to do.
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