India’s climate-damaging measures reduce 57% of IIOJK’s wetlands in decade
Srinagar: As a result of growing militarization, construction of ‘security’ installations and government-backed infrastructure projects, initiated by the Modi regime while disregarding ecological balance, Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir has lost 57% of its wetlands in past one decade.
According to Kashmir Media Service, government figures confirmed that the total wetland cover reduced from 3,91,501 hectares in 2011 to just 1,64,110 hectares in 2021. This marks a loss of over 57% of IIOJK’s wetlands in ten years, raising concerns over the unchecked depletion of these vital ecosystems.
Many experts also attribute the large-scale wetland loss in IIOJK to the diversion of rivers, mostly those flowing into Pakistan, growing deforestation, encroachment, unregulated urban expansion and pollution.
Many of the territory’s famous wetlands, including Hokersar, Wular and Dal Lake, have been severely impacted by human activities and shrinking water levels. The loss of wetlands poses a major threat to biodiversity, groundwater recharge, and flood control, especially in a region heavily dependent on natural water bodies for agriculture and livelihoods.
Conservationists urged authorities to take immediate and stringent action to prevent further encroachment and degradation.
Mandeep Kar, an environmentalist, who has been working on environmental projects in occupied Jammu and Kashmir for three years, said that strict enforcement of wetland protection laws, removal of illegal encroachments, and large-scale restoration efforts are crucial. Without these steps, we risk losing these vital water bodies forever, he said.
“We must restore these wetlands through desilting, controlling sewage discharge, and promoting community-led conservation. Any delay will only worsen water scarcity and accelerate ecological collapse,” he added.
