Hokersar Lake

Hokersar Lake Latest News

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.
• It spans 13.75 sq.km. and rests at 1,585 meters above sea level. 
• 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.

Source: DEVD

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