SRINAGAR, DEC 23: Dachigam National Park faces a significant threat due to a decrease in forest cover, signalling habitat fragmentation. Besides, over the past six decades, built-up areas near the park surged by 325%, impacting the environment, according to a recent study.
Dachigam National Park, which spreads over141 sq km extends north to Dara Block, Sind Forest Division, Overa Aru Wildlife Sanctuary and south to Ridges of Cheshmashahi forests, Khanmoh Khrew forests, Hajin and Narastan and Zowirstan forests.
However, there has been a decrease in its forest area due to rapid urbanization in its surrounding areas.
According to the study, the rise in surface aquatic vegetation in Dal Lake by 175% is attributed to increased sewage from expanding urban areas, as nutrients in sewage contribute to the growth of aquatic plants. Temperature and nutrient levels are highlighted as crucial factors influencing aquatic vegetation growth.
The findings showed that the built-up areas in the vicinity of the park have increased by 325 percent in the last six decades. In the same period, the surface aquatic vegetation in Dal Lake increased by about 175 percent. This increase was due to the growth of built-up areas, which probably led to more sewage entering the lake. Sewage contains nutrients. Besides temperature, nutrients play an important role in the growth of aquatic vegetation, it says.
Situated about 20 kilometres from the main city of Srinagar, the Dachigam National Park is one of the most important protected areas in Kashmir Himalaya. It is not just home to the critically endangered hangul (Kashmir stag), but also a habitat for several other species such as Asiatic black bears, leopards, langurs, rare medicinal plants and a variety of endemic bird species. Additionally, the park has an abundant forest cover including conifers and oak trees besides shrublands and meadows.
An official of the Forest Department said that artificial boundaries are demarcated around forest land at several places in the Union Territory.
The official said that hundreds of kanals of forest land are still under encroachment.
He said that the increase in forest fires happened due to the non-demarcation of forest land in Jammu and Kashmir. “Had the forests been demarcated, fewer such incidents would have happened,” the official said.
He said the artificial demarcation of its boundaries was done at few places and the civilian population was also residing in its area at several places, posing a serious threat to its species.
Officials said with the absence of boundaries and fencing, local livestock of the surrounding areas of the Dachigam Wildlife Park go on a grazing spree in its upper reaches resulting in heavy habitat degradation.
A senior official said the government has taken up several preservation measures for forest land. “Vulnerable areas in forests are being demarcated on a priority basis,” the official added. Earlier, the Centre came up with a draft proposal to declare 137.75 square kilometres around Dachigam National Park, Thajiwas (Baltal) and Overa-Aru wildlife sanctuaries as eco-sensitive zones.
