Conservation Issues
Natural wetlands and the biodiversity that inhabit them face a daunting array of challenges, ranging from pollution through mediocre management to unplanned infrastructural development. Multi-species surveys are required for this data-deficient and biodiversity-rich wetland. Alongside the research, it is important to integrate the work with local community groups by creating linkages with all the stakeholders.
WWF-India has decided to work in this area because these wetlands are natural marshes which support unique biodiversity. These are the only habitats in the whole of Punjab which have the resident breeding population of the sarus crane. No scientific studies and systematic monitoring has been conducted to record biodiversity of this area. WWF-India saw this as an opportunity to record and prepare a biodiversity inventory for this area.
Coupled with the aforementioned statement is that these wetlands are under threat of disappearing because of ongoing human activities like encroachment, pumping out of water from the wetland, conversion of the wetland into agricultural land, pollution due to agricultural runoff and lack of educational and environment awareness among locals. It is very important to identify the potential of these wetlands and save them from disappearing. There is a need for inter-linking of primary and secondary stakeholders and to act jointly for managing these wetlands.
WWF-India has decided to work in this area because these wetlands are natural marshes which support unique biodiversity. These are the only habitats in the whole of Punjab which have the resident breeding population of the sarus crane. No scientific studies and systematic monitoring has been conducted to record biodiversity of this area. WWF-India saw this as an opportunity to record and prepare a biodiversity inventory for this area.
Coupled with the aforementioned statement is that these wetlands are under threat of disappearing because of ongoing human activities like encroachment, pumping out of water from the wetland, conversion of the wetland into agricultural land, pollution due to agricultural runoff and lack of educational and environment awareness among locals. It is very important to identify the potential of these wetlands and save them from disappearing. There is a need for inter-linking of primary and secondary stakeholders and to act jointly for managing these wetlands.
