Prof. (Dr) R.D. Gupta
Waterlogged wealth, which is most aptly described as wetlands, covers nearly 10 percent of the earth’s surface. India is endowed with as many as 65,000 wetlands sprawling over an area of 5 million ha. Despite huge area under wetlands as stated above these ecosystems are not fully understood in respect of their ecological, socio-economical and aesthetic values. Hitherto, the man considered them as an abode of pests and diseases, and these required drainage to reclaim them for various human developmental activities. Later on, it was found that these ecosystems possessed higher productivity level than those of tropical forests. Moreover, the Indian mythology is replete with illustration of significance that the water bodies were imparted in an ancient times. The civilization in the past developed and flourished around the water bodies. The Indus valley civilization and the Nile valley civilization are the most important examples in this regard, which were developed around the rivers Indus and Nile, respectively.
Jammu and Kashmir state has a number of water bodies like springs locally known as baolis, popnds or tablabs, lakes, streams and rivers. The lakes confined to high altitudes such as Sheshnag, Kousernag, Vishnusar, Nilnag, Gangabal etc, have different nature of biota than those which are situated in the plains. Among others the Dal lake present in the heart of Srinagar city of Kashmir valley is world famous owing to its tourist attraction. Historically, this lake has played an important role in the economy of the state. Once claimed as the purest and the largest natural water body, the Wular lake is not only famous in Asia but is also of International importance. However, it is a great pity that this lake is still subjected to deterioration due to one or the other reason. Similar is the status of Mansar and Suriansar lakes of Jammu region. Infact, these water bodies as well rivers, canals and ponds are dying owing to the negligence of man. Hence, it becomes the duty of every one of us to protect various water bodies for the posterity.
Waterlogged wealth is afflicted with a number of sufferings which may arise due to social, developmental and geographical causes. The sufferings faced by the waterlogged wealths are siltation, eutrophication, encroachments, reclaimation, shrinking of the area and pollution.
Siltation: It is perhaps the most common problem faced by many of the aquatic ecosystems especially during rainy season. The sediments flowing into the Dal lake brought from Dachigam and Telbel catchments of Kashmir is found to be about 9 hectare meter in flood year than normal precipitation year where this figure is 4.16 hectare meter. The southern slopes of these catchment, are denuded of forest cover. Uncontrolled grazing is the main cause of denudation which during rains creates large soil erosion and floods, thus silting the lake. Similarly entire catchment of Kashmir valley upto Sopore which ultimately drains into the Wular lake is the main cause of siltation.
Massive sedimentation and siltation accompanied with inflow of waste have also damaged the geometry of the Suriansar and Mansar lakes. The rivers like the Jehlum, Chenab, Ravi, Tawi, Basanter and various streams are also fast silting up thereby, deteriorating the quality of their water.
Eutrophication: It is commonly known as aging process, and is one of the major problems after siltation faced by lakes and ponds. In this process, water bodies become rich in plant nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and others, which support a dense plant population and kills animal life by depriving them of oxygen. The eutrophied lakes gradually turn into a marsh and ultimately become dry earth. This process has already started in many lakes of the country including those of Jammu and Kashmir.
Encroachments: Encroachment of peripheral areas of lakes can lead to their shrinkage. It is either resorted for aqua-culture/agriculture or for tourist purposes. Although previously the area of Dal lake had been encroached for cultivation of crops, vegetables and settlements yet by the concerted efforts of the Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA), its area has now become intact after rehabilitation of a population of 50,000 (Yasin, 2013), living in hemlets, houseboats and doongas. Similar action is also required to be taken up in other water bodies where their encroachment still exists.
Reclaimation: Most of the water bodies are being reclaimed for various purposes like setting up of industries, agriculture etc, which results in the reduction of the aquatic ecosystems.
Shrinking of area: According to German traveler, G.I. Vigne, who visited the Mansar lake more than 100 years ago, the length of the lake was more than a mile (1.6 Km) and quite half a mile (0.8 Km) width. But now this lake is nearly half that size. Similarly, the Suriansar lake is shrinking in its length and width due to heavy siltation and encroachments. Likewise the Wular lake of Kashmir has shrunk in area tremendously from Mughal period up to now.
Pollution: By and large, all the aquatic ecosystems of the country including those of Jammu and Kashmir are now facing the problem of pollution of their water. But to talk of the wetlands of India, about 50 per cent of the world’s major rivers are seriously depleted and polluted and poisoning the surrounding ecosystems, thereby threatening the health of tens of millions of people. Over use and misuse of land and water resources in river basins constitute the primary cause for rivers decline. The solid wastes and sewers from human habitants on the periphery of various wetlands, are the main factors causing pollution in the rivers Jhelum, Chenab, Tawi as well as in lakes like Mansar, Suriansar, Wular and Dal lakes. Thanks to Lawda, by the efforts of which five sewage treatment plants have been laid to improve the condition of the Dal lake water (Yasin, 2013). Now, the five such sewage treatment plants are in operation which have the capacity to treat 36.7 million litres of sewage every day.
Protection Measures
Creation of awareness regarding the importance of waterlogged wealth among the general masses, monitoring water quality of aquatic ecosystems, adoptaion of a system approach, checking of construction activities, afforestation and ecological rehabilitation and management, are some of the important measures to protect various aquatic ecosystems for the posterity.
Creation of awareness: Awareness creating among the people through seminars, symposia, training camps is one of the step required to be taken up for controlling the sufferings of waterlogged wealth. It becomes the duty of everyone of us to help in controlling pollution of the water bodies for preservation of water for the coming generations.
Monitoring of water quality: Regular water quality monitoring of different aquatic systems must be done in collaboration with Pollution Control Board’s scientists.
Adoption of a system approach: The key to any planning exercise for protection and management of wetlands must have scientific and socioeconomic aspects in view.
Control of Construction activities: Wherever it is possible, developmental construction activities within or around the aquatic ecosystems must be checked.
Afforestation: Afforestation in various catchment areas in general and in the peripheries of aquatic ecosystems in particular is very essential to save them from deterioration. While afforestation, planting of local tree/plant species are required to be encouraged.
Follow our WhatsApp channel