Srinagar, July 17: A number of J&K legislators Tuesday stepped in to conserve the state wetlands while expressing concern over the “deteriorating” condition of the world famous Dal Lake in Srinagar.
 Highlighting the significance of wetlands for their ecological, cultural and economic importance, the State Secretary CPI (M), MY Tarigami, who is also chairman of the Committee on Environment (EC) of the Legislative Assembly, Tuesday called for integrated planning and management of wetlands across J&K.
 An official spokesman said Targami while expressing serious concern over the wetlands called for an end to tremendous pressure, encroachments and vandalization of wetlands in the state mainly due to human interference and greed.
 The Chairman also called for a complete satellite directory of all lakes and water bodies with focus on devising ways and means for proper upkeep and conservation of wetlands.
 He also called for effective implementation of relevant Centre and State laws to prevent encroachment on wetlands. “Wetlands are an important part of ecology and environments besides being important habitat for bird species” Tarigami said, adding that the state cannot afford to lose its wetlands, for which, it is famous the world over.
 He called for pragmatic approach to protection of wetlands, asking all the concerned departments and the civil society to coordinate to conserve state’s water bodies, which are its heritage and identity.
 Legislators Ashok Kumar Khajuria, Muhammad Sharief Niaz, Dr. Shafi Ahmad Wani, Abdul Razaq Zaoora, Muhammad Ashraf Ganai, Advocate Abdul Haq, Ch. Zulafikar Ali, Ch. Charanjit Singh, Muhammad Yaseen Shah, Prof. Gharu Ram, Krishen Chander Bhagat, Er. Abdul Rashid, Lal Chand, Sajad Ahmed Kitchloo, Sukhnandan, Radhey Sham and Peer Afaq Ahmed also spoke on the occasion and gave their suggestions for conservation of wetlands, water bodies in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh region.
 “The members expressed their concern over the deteriorating condition of the Dal Lake,” the spokesman said.
 The meeting was informed that as per the data prepared by the Department of Environment and Remote Sensing there are total number of 1230 lakes and water bodies in the state—150 in Jammu, 415 in Kashmir and 665 in Ladakh region. It was also informed that the department of wildlife is managing wetlands namely Tso-Morri, Tsigultso, Tsokar and Pangong Tso in Ladakh, Surinsar-Mansar and Gharana and associated wetlands in Jammu and Hokerser, Mirgund, Hygam and Shallbugh wetlands in Kashmir. Hokerser in Kashmir, Tso-Morri in Ladakh and Surinsar-Mansar wetlands in Jammu have been declared as Ramsar sites under the Ramsar Convention.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 17 Jul 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 17 Jul 2012 18:30:00 GMT
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