Current Programmes > Conservation & management of wetlands

1.         Conservation and Management of Wetlands in Punjab

             Wetlands are extremely important and vital ecosystems for ecological sustainability. Punjab had a number of natural and manmade wetlands. However, human growth and development, particularly agriculture, has exerted negative impact on these habitats. Most of the natural wetlands have been reclaimed or severely degraded. The most serious problem to Harike and Ropar wetlands is siltation due to erosion from highly degraded catchment areas. Ecology of Harike is also threatened due to excessive growth of exotic weed – water hyacinth. The Council is coordinating the scheme “National Wetland Conservation Programme” sponsored by Ministry of Environment & Forests, GOI. Under the scheme conservation activities for three Ramsar sites (Harike, Kanjli and Ropar wetlands) and one National wetland (Nangal wetland) are undertaken through various executing departments which include afforestation of native tree species for habitat improvement, soil conservation to prevent siltation, conservation of wildlife and fisheries, weed control, water quality monitoring and public awareness, etc. Conservation of another National wetland (Ranjit Sagar) which is an interstate wetland (H.P., Punjab and J&K) is being taken by Ranjit Sagar Dam Design Organisation under Deptt. of Irrigation

            At Harike Wetland, conservation programmes were initiated in 1987-88, at Kanjli in 1988-89 and at Ropar in 1996-97. These wetlands have been included in the Ramsar list of wetlands of International importance by the Ramsar Bureau owing to their ecological significance. Harike was included in the list of Ramsar sites in 1990 and subsequently Ropar & Kanjli were also added in the Ramsar list during 2002. At Nangal wetland, funds were provided for the first time by MEF, GOI for conservation activities in 2008-09.

i)          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 also been notified by the Govt. of Punjab as Wildlife Sanctuary in 1982 and is in direct control of deptt. of Forests & Wildlife, Punjab. This wetland is facing problem of siltation as vast areas along the right side of river Beas falling under villages Chamba Kallan, Kamboh Dhaiwala, Kirrian and Harike are degraded with deep cuts due to formation of ravines over the years. Erosion in this area transfers silt into Harike wetland.

            Conservation measures were initiated in Harike wetland in 1987-88. Activities taken up include-survey and mapping, plantation (52 ha), fencing (22845 rft), construction of mounds (192), shallow water ponds (15), demarcation pillars(200) and  watchtowers (2). 393 ha catchment area has been treated with vegetative structures, trenches, gully plugging, land terracing, etc. Soil conservation measures also include construction of earthen check dam (58 m long), masonry drop structures (72 no.) & periphery bandh (14,373 m). Soil conservation work has been completed in 34 out of 54 ravines in immediate catchments. As reported by the department of soil conservation, silt inflow of about 5,000 metric ton (about 6” soil deposits) has been abated annually due to the soil conservation measures taken. About 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 pollution is major problem, which results in infestation by water hyacinth. The wetland has six Conveyor belt systems for mechanical removal of water hyacinth. Biological control of water hyacinth is being undertaken by IPRI using weevils (1,56,700 no.), which have been released at 13 locations in catchment drains. 

 World wetlands day is celebrated every year and awareness programmes are held with the help of NGOs and NGC schools to sensitize local people. With the funds sanctioned and released (Rs.79.27 lac) in 2006-07 & 2007-08, 250 ha of Harike catchment area was treated through soil conservation measures such as construction of earthen silt detention structures (5 no.), masonry drop structures(68), earthen field bund(50km), stream bank protection with vegetative structure (42 km) and  plantation. Further, MoEF has released Rs. 60 lac for Action Plan (2007-08) to take up conservation measures such as soil conservation through construction of a silt detention structure, masonry drop structures(26 no.) and stream bank protection with vegetative measures and plantation, afforestation (19.5 ha), remote sensing studies and preparation of digital maps, glass house for multiplication and release of weevils(49,250 No.) for biological control of water hyacinth, camps on promotion of organic farming, public awareness/livelihood activities, awareness kiosks & hoardings, etc. Council is promoting preparing handicraft from water hyacinth by active involvement of deptt. of Forests with the help of KIDS Society, Kottapuram, Kerala. No funds were released by MEF, GOI during 2008-09.

 ii)         Ropar wetland:

            Ropar wetland came into existence in 1882 through construction of a head work at river Sutlej near Ropar. Since this wetland is located right by the side of damaged and eroded Shivalik foothills, a large amount of silt and nutrients gets transported into the wetland every year.

Conservation measures were initiated in Ropar wetland in 1996-97.Activities taken up include-survey & mapping, plantation (30 ha) and fencing (12000 rft). Apart from this artificial nests (50 no.) have also been installed at strategic locations. Department of Soil Conservation has treated 121 ha degraded catchments by constructing five silt detention earthen structure and 37 nos. loose stone structures to prevent soil from flowing into the lake. World wetlands day is celebrated every year and awareness programmes are held with the help of NGOs and NGC schools to sensitize local people. During 2006-07, Rs. 93.93 lac were sanctioned by MoEF and out of these, Rs. 56.35 lac were released in 2007-08 as first installment. The second installment of Rs. 37.58 lac was released in 2008-09. Activities taken up with these funds included soil conservation through construction of 6 silt detention structures, walting &  vegetative structures, plantation (50 ha) and public awareness.

 iii)        Kanjli wetland:

             Kanjli wetland, which is located near Kapurthala on Kali Bein, is extremely important for its hydro-ecological and socio-religious values. It is spread over 12 villages, covering an area of 183 ha. Being a part of rivulet Kali Bein (now known as Holy Bein), this wetland has unique socio religious importance. As the major area is under agriculture, the inflow of agro chemicals leads to eutrophication problem in the wetland.

Conservation measures were initiated in Kanjli wetland in 1988-89. Activities taken up include- survey & mapping, plantation (34 ha) and fencing (17588 rft.). Eutrophication is a major problem which resulted in growth of water hyacinth weed in some pockets of wetland. For manual and mechanical removal of water hyacinth, two conveyor belt systems, one motorboat, tractor & trolley are in regular use. For biological control of water hyacinth, weevils (26,700 no.) have also been released at 7 locations in Kanjli Lake and Holy Bein. Facilities at Fish Seed Farm at Bir Shikargah, Kapurthala, have been strengthened to produce fish seed for release in wetland areas. World wetlands day is celebrated every year and awareness programmes are held with the help of NGOs and NGC schools to sensitize local people.

During 2007-08, Rs. 14 lac were released by MoEF to take up conservation measures such as plantation/ biofencing (5ha), remote sensing studies & GIS maps, release of weevils (39,500 No.) for biological control of water hyacinth, camps on promotion of organic farming, public awareness/livelihood activities and  renovation of interpretation centre, etc. During 2008-09 Rs. 16.20 lac were released for conservation activities.

 iv)        Ranjit Sagar Wetland:

          Ranjit Sagar Dam located on river Ravi about 24 km upstream of Madhopur Headworks in Gurdaspur district 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 dam 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 under national wetland conservation programme at the instance of Hon’ble Governor of Punjab in 2006. To prepare a Joint management action for this wetland by three states, a meeting was held on 3rd Feb.,08 at Dharamshala under the chairmanship of Addl. Secretary, MoEF, GOI where it was decided that all states may submit Management Action Plans w.r.t. their area which will be reviewed by a ‘group of experts’ constituted by Ministry and subsequently Joint Action Plan will be finalized with the help of  a consultant. Ranjit Sagar Dam Design Organisation under deptt. of Irrigation is the nodal agency and is coordinating with all three states to develop a joint action plan.

 v.         Nangal wetland:

            Ministry of Environment & Forests, Govt. of India has included Nangal lake under national wetland conservation programme in 2008. Rs. 20 lac were released for conservation activities by MEF, GOI against the action plan submitted by the council in 2008-09. As these funds were released in Feb,08 the activities would be completed in 2009-10 seeking carry forward permission from the Ministry.

vi.        Wetlands of State importance:

             There are sixteen small wetlands in Punjab. Out of these, five wetlands namely Keshopur-Miani Jheel, Kahnuwan Chhamb, Jastarwal Jheel, Mand Bharthala and Dholbaha Reservoir have been designated as  wetlands of State importance owing to their ecological importance. Keshopur-Miani Jheel has also been declared as community reserve. In the year 2007-08, following activities were taken up with  the state govt. funds:

(i)                 Important wetland features

(ii)               Preliminary biodiversity

(iii)             Water quality monitoring.

(iv)              Public awareness and publication of pamphlets on these wetlands.

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 agro chemicals severely affecting the wetland flora and fauna

·        Deteriorating water quality

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

During the year 2007-08, Rs. 1.00 lac has been released by the state government for taking up GIS studies of Keshopur Miani wetland which has been declared as a Community Reserve by the Forests Deptt.