The environmental status of a Kashmir Himalayan wetland game reserve: Aquatic plant communities and eco‐restoration measures: Fid-Bau Portal

The environmental status of a Kashmir Himalayan wetland game reserve: Aquatic plant communities and eco‐restoration measures

Khan, M. A. / Shah, M. A. / Mir, S. S. / Bashir, Suzana

Abstract

The data (November 2000 – October 2001) are presented on environmental status, hydrology, sedimentation rate, water quality and macrophytic community architecture of an important game reserve (Hokersar Wetland) in the Kashmir Himalayan valley. Of the total water input, 91% was contributed from surface inlets and just 9% through precipitation. Of the total surface water output, 67% occurred through outlets while evapotranspiration and other losses accounted for 33%. The net annual sediment accumulation was principally a function of suspended load carried by Doodganga inlet. The ecosystem supports diverse aquatic plant communities (emergents, rooted–floating leaf type, free‐floating leaf type, submersed type) marked by striking variability in composition, frequency and extent of colonization. Several ecological factors, such as habitat loss related to siltation, pollution, expanding agricultural activities and drastic hydrological fluctuations, have induced considerable changes in the dynamics and distribution pattern of sustained biota. The shift in macrophytic community structure is evidenced by the decline of Nelumbio nucifera and the near‐disappearance of some economically important plants (Euryale ferox, Acorus calamus). The shrinkage of the wetland area, once spread over 1800 ha, by ≈28% is a cause for environmental concern. The paper highlights the rapidly deteriorating environmental status of the Kashmir Himalayan Hokersar Wetland game reserve and stresses the need for its urgent ecological restoration.