Hokersar Lake (Queen of Wetlands)
Why in News?
On April 15, 2026, the Jammu & Kashmir Wildlife Department initiated a large-scale mechanical dredging operation to remove silt and invasive weeds that have choked the lake's water channels.
Geographical & Ecological Profile
- Location: Situated in the Zainakote area near Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir.
- Type: A permanent freshwater wetland within the Jhelum River basin.
- Status:
- Declared a Ramsar Site in 2005 (Wetland of International Importance).
- Designated as a Wildlife Sanctuary under the J&K Wildlife Protection Act.
- Function: It acts as a natural flood absorption basin for the Jhelum River, protecting Srinagar city from seasonal flooding.
Key Biological Features
- Migratory Hub: Every winter, it hosts millions of birds flying in from Siberia, Central Asia, and Europe.
- Species Found:
- Common: Mallards, Greylag Geese, Pintails, Shovellers, and Gadwalls.
- Rare: The Endangered White-fronted Goose.
- Flora: Dominated by reed beds (Phragmites) and floating-leaf vegetation, which provide ideal nesting and feeding grounds.
Major Threats & Challenges
- Siltation: Heavy silt brought by the Doodhganga stream is turning the wetland into a landmass.
- Pollution: Direct discharge of untreated sewage and solid waste from surrounding residential colonies.
- Invasive Species: Rapid spread of water hyacinth and other weeds that deplete oxygen levels.
- Land Conversion: Illegal conversion of wetland areas into agricultural land or residential plots.
Restoration Efforts
- Dredging: Excavating silt to increase the water-holding capacity.
- Boundary Wall: Construction of a physical perimeter to prevent further encroachment.
- Community Awareness: Involving local youth in "Wetland Mitras" (Friends of Wetlands) programs to monitor illegal hunting and garbage dumping.
- Hokersar is considered the most accessible and "northernmost" significant wetland in the Kashmir Valley, making it the first stop for birds entering the valley via the Central Asian Flyway.
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