The wetlands in the City are continuously being eaten away by encroachments in the form of residential houses and commercial structures. 
 Waterfowls are constantly losing their habitat. I remember many birds like common ducks, white cranes, etc, which lived in abundance in the wetlands of Srinagar. And the bird, locally known as Gil Poot or Pindech, was one of them, which one would often see. Well to remind you, the Gil Poot has a black-brownish body and a bright red beak.
 Besides, plants like Typha, which at the top has a mike like fluffy structure called Cat-tail, grew abundantly in these areas.
 Till around a decade ago, we would find it all in abundance along the Bemina -Tengpora track as most of this area used to be wetland. Therein many species of birds, frogs, and the migratory White Crane, which migrates from the north, were found.
 But unfortunately, due to brute and unchecked urbanization,   the wetlands have shrunk and with it the species living there.
 Government must take care of these endangered species by keeping some land reserved for these little creatures so that they live therein safe and secure.
 The government must also take note of land filling of the Narkara Wetland near Hyderpora, which is fast turning into a residential colony.
 Narkara wetland can be saved, if the government wakes to the alarming situation and the concerned District Development Commissioner takes measures to conserve the wetland.
 Otherwise, from Gil Poot to Migratory birds and the scenic beauty, we may loose everything, Kashmir  was once known for.

ADNANZAB BHAT
MOOMIN ABAD
(The ideas expressed are author’s own)

Lastupdate on : Sat, 1 May 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 1 May 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 2 May 2010 00:00:00 IST