Hokersar Lake:
The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) recently warned of severe ecological degradation of Hokersar Lake, with over 2,500 kanals encroached.
- 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.
