SRINAGAR: The Environmental Policy Group (EPG) has strongly criticised the ongoing illegal excavation of soil in the ecologically sensitive Hokersar Wetland, accusing the Wildlife Department of gross negligence. The group has described the department’s inaction as a grave threat to the region’s biodiversity and the natural habitat of migratory birds.
In a scathing statement, EPG alleged that the Wildlife Department’s mismanagement has not only failed to address critical water-level restoration in the wetland but has also allowed destructive activities to flourish. The so-called Mitti Mafia has reportedly been operating unchecked, using machinery and trucks around the clock to excavate soil far beyond permissible limits. This unauthorised activity, the group claims, has caused significant disruption to the wetland’s delicate ecological balance and forced migratory birds away from their natural habitat.
EPG has documented evidence of contractors removing excessive soil and creating dump sites that further compromise the wetland’s environmental stability. The group has also raised concerns about threats to their members. One member who tried to document these activities was allegedly intimidated by a contractor, an incident EPG has reportedly recorded.
Calling the situation an “ecological betrayal,” EPG has demanded a high-level inquiry into what they term the “Mitti Scandal.” The group has also urged a thorough investigation into the management of funds allocated for wetland preservation, alongside stringent action against officials and contractors implicated in these destructive practices.
The group emphasised that the ongoing excavation activities not only breach environmental regulations but also endanger the survival of migratory birds by disturbing their migration and nesting patterns. Hokersar Wetland, a vital ecosystem in Kashmir, serves as a crucial habitat for numerous bird species, making its preservation critical to regional biodiversity.
EPG has vowed to pursue legal action and continue raising public awareness about the importance of safeguarding Kashmir’s wetlands. Determined to hold those responsible accountable, the group reiterated its commitment to halting further destruction of Hokersar Wetland and ensuring the protection of the area’s unique ecological heritage
