The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) recently warned of severe ecological degradation of Hokersar Lake, with over 2,500 kanals encroached.
About Hokersar Lake:
Hokersar, also known as Hokera, is a large natural wetland near Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir.
The wetland lies in the Jhelum River basin and receives water mainly from the Doodhganga River (a tributary of Jhelum).
It is located in the northwest Himalayan biogeographic province of Kashmir, behind the snow-draped Pir Panchal.
It is the largest bird sanctuary in the Kashmir Valley and a designated Ramsar site, recognized for its international ecological importance.
It serves as a critical habitat and resting place for various migratory waterbirds from Siberia, Central Asia, and Northern Europe, hosting around 68 waterfowl species, including some endangered ones.
Hokersar is rich in aquatic vegetation such as reedbeds and water chestnuts, which provide food and shelter for fish and birds.
Apart from biodiversity conservation, the wetland acts as a floodwater absorption basin and supports local livelihoods.
However, it faces threats from human encroachment, pollution, and conversion to agriculture, which have reduced its size over time.
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