About 400 wetlands in Jammu region are under threat of becoming extinct if measures are not taken for their preservation, a panel of experts warned today.
"Conservation of wetlands, including the famous Gharana wetland in Jammu, is very important as they are under threat of extinction. Inter-departmental coordination is necessary to save them," Chief Wildlife Warden Jammu and Kashmir, Abdul Razzaq, said at a function organised on the conservation of wetlands here today.
Out of the 74 resident and migratory birds that visit Gharana wetland every year 62 were extremely rate bird species, he said.
He said that efforts were on to resolve the issues with the local farmers that were hampering the demarcation of Gharana wetland.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been signed with WWF for conservation of the wetlands.
"There is a need for sensitising the people living along the wetland about the importance of the water bodies and migratory birds," he said.
Prof. Shashi Kant, former head of department Environment Science, University of Jammu said,"efforts for conservation of Gharana wetland will bear tangible result with the protection of boundaries and proper demarcation of land. There are 400 wetlands in Jammu that need to be properly protected.
