Current Programmes > Conservation & management of wetlands

1.  Harike Wetland:

Harike wetland is a very important abode for the water birds migrating from across the international frontiers. It supports more than 400 species of avifauna. It has, therefore, been notified by the Govt. of Punjab as Bird  Sanctuary. This wetland is, however, getting silted up as vast areas along the right side of river Beas falling under villages Chamba Kallan, Kamboh Dhaiwala, Kirrian and Harike are seriously degraded with deep cuts due to formation of ravines over the years. Erosion in this area transfers heavy load of silt into Harike wetland. Consequently the storage capacity of Harike lake has reduced.

Survey on the area has been completed and maps digitized. Plantation in 52 ha and 22845 rft. fencing has been done. 192 mounds and 15 shallow water ponds were also constructed. 200 demarcation pillars were installed along with construction of 2 watchtowers and bird hides. Six Conveyor belt systems are in use for manual and mechanical removal of water hyacinth. For biological control of water hyacinth 156700 weevils have been released at 13 locations in catchment drains. Department of Soil Conservation has treated 393 ha area with vegetative structures, trenches, gully plugging, earthen/brushwood check dam, land terracing, etc. including 58 m long earthen check dam, 72 masonry drop structures & 14,373 m periphery bandh in 5 villages (Chamba Kalan and Kamboh Dhaiwala, Harike, Marrar and Kirian). Soil conservation work has been completed in 34 out of 54 ravines in immediate catchments. Besides 14,840 plants have also been planted to control erosion. As a result, silt inflow of about 30,000 metric ton (about 6” soil deposits) has been abated. 85 acre area has been improved and is being used for agriculture. Land value has increased substantially which resulted in socio-economic upliftment of farmers. Water quality mostly conforms to Class ‘A’ and ‘B’ but deteriorates to ‘D’ in June. Pollution is caused by effluents brought by Budha Nallah and East Bein. Fish seed ponds near Amritsar have been renovated to release fingerlings in wetland areas. 4 books (Plants of Harike wetland- a filed guide, Fish biodiversity in wetlands of Punjab, Punjab vich jalgaah di sambhal, Harike Lake) and 1 poster have been published for educational purpose as resource material. World Wetlands Day is celebrated every year and awareness programmes are held with the help of NGOs and NGC schools. During 2006-07, MEF.GOI released Rs. 50.00 lacs for soil conservation work in the catchment area.

2.  Ropar Wetland:

Ropar wetland came into existence during the year 1882 with the construction of a headwork on river Satluj at Ropar. Subsequently, in 1952, a larger barrage was constructed and the wetland area increased substantially. It is surrounded by highly degraded Shivalik foothills on its north which are highly susceptible to water erosion. About 100 tons of silt load per ha area gets transferred into Ropar wetland per annum.

Survey has been completed and maps digitized. Plantation in 30 ha and 12000 rft. fencing has been done. Apart from this 50 artificial nests and 18 model plastic birds have also been installed at strategic locations. Department of Soil Conservation has treated degraded catchments by constructing five silt detention earthen structure and 37 nos. loose stone structures to prevent soil from flowing into the lake. Out of 4700 ha area in the catchment requiring soil treatment, work has been completed in 121 ha area. Water quality varies from Class ‘A’ to Class ‘D’ at different locations during different seasons. A book on Ropar Wetland has been published for educational purpose as a resource material. World Wetlands Day is celebrated every year at this wetland and awareness programmes are held with the help of NGOs and NGC schools. Infrastructural support had also been provided to the interpretation centre for public awareness. No funds were received from MEF,GOI in the year 2006-07.

3.  Kanjli Wetland:

Kanjli wetland located near Kapurthala on Kali Bein is extremely important for its hydro-ecological and socio-religious values. Flow of 200 cusecs of water was maintained to improve its ecology. District Administration with support from social activists removed water hyacinth from Kali Bein.

Survey has been completed and maps digitized. Plantation in 34 ha and 17588 rft. fencing has been done. Shallow water features have also been created. Two Conveyor belt systems, one motorboat, tractor & trolley are in use for manual and mechanical removal water hyacinth. For biological control of water hyacinth 26700 weevils have been released at 7 locations in Kanjli Lake and Kali Bein. Water quality conforms to Class ‘B’ but deteriorates to ‘D’ during certain months when inflow of water decreases considerably. Major polluting sources are sewage and sullage from surrounding towns & villages. Efforts are being made to divert sullage water from villages for use in irrigation after treatment and set up STPs in the towns discharging sewage. Facilities at Fish Seed Farm at Bir Shikargah, Kapurthala have been strengthened to produce fish seed in 40 tanks (hatchery/rearing/ stocking, etc.) for release in wetland areas. A book  on Kanjli wetland has been published for educational purpose as a resource material. World Wetlands Day is celebrated every year and awareness programmes are held with the help of NGOs and NGC schools. Infrastructural support has been provided to the environmental library set up at Kanjli Lake.

No funds were received from MEF, GOI in the year 2006-07.

4.  Ranjit Sagar Wetland:

Ranjit Sagar Dam is located on river Ravi about 24 km upstream of Madhopur Headworks in Gurdaspur district. It is a manmade, riverine and lacustrine wetland with fresh water ecology. It is spread over an area of 87.60 sq km. falling in three states of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and J&K. This 160 m high dam with a power generation capacity of 600 MW (4x150 MW) became operational in August, 2000. Large area came under water with its impoundment and marshy features developed in considerably significant zone along the reservoir. Benefits of this reservoir include flood control, assured irrigation water supply and hydroelectricity generation.

Ministry of Environment & Forests, Govt. of India has included Ranjit Sagar Dam under national wetland conservation programme at the instance of Hon’ble Governor of Punjab. The partner states are formulating a joint integrated action plan for its conservation and management. The conservation programmes proposed to be taken up include afforestation of native tree species, soil conservation to prevent erosion and silting up of wetlands, conservation and development of wildlife and fisheries, water quality monitoring, eco-tourism and public awareness.

5.  State Wetlands:

Council initiated following steps at five state wetlands namely Keshopur-Miani Jheel (declared as community reserve), Kahnuwan Chhamb, Jastarwal Jheel, Mand Bharthala and Dholbaha Reservoir with the financial support  from the Govt. of Punjab:

(i)                Study and documentation of ecological problems.

(ii)               Preliminary Biodiversity studies.

(iii)             Water Quality Monitoring.

(iv)              Public contact programmes and publication of resource material.

On the basis of above studies, following major threats have been identified:-

• Lack of public awareness towards their responsibility for conservation of these ecosystems.

• Encroachments of wetland area.

• Drainage of wetlands for irrigation.

• Indiscriminate discharge of domestic and industrial effluents and intensive use of  agrochemicals severely affecting the wetland flora and fauna.

• Water Quality monitoring carried out by PPCB (2005-06) indicated water quality of these wetlands to be mostly under ‘B’ category.

• Siltation of wetlands due to erosion caused by deforestation and loss of vegetative cover particularly around Dholbaha.

6.  UNDP-GEF Small Grants Programme Support for Wetlands in Punjab:

The Council is implementing the UNDP-GEF programme for creating public awareness about the importance of Wetlands and need for their conservation through public participation. Council has organized nine training programmes for general public, school and college teachers, Govt. officials from the Deptts. of Forests and Wildlife, Fisheries, Soil Conservation, Agriculture, Irrigation and Pollution Control Board. Council has also organized 54 public awareness camps in villages adjoining Harike, Kanjli and Ropar wetlands through active involvement of NGOs & educational institutions. A CD on importance of Wetlands in Punjab has also been prepared for public awareness. The same is being prepared in Hindi & Punjabi languages for imparting awareness in rural areas

For enhancing community participation for wetland conservation, the NGOs working at grass roots level, especially in the villages adjoining wetlands have been involved to take up following action oriented activities :

• School wetland/ aquatic habitat

• Plant Biodiversity Corner

• Promotion of Organic Farming

• Making handmade paper from water hyacinth and other weeds

• Bio-diversity register and resource mapping