Harike Wetland

This man-made, riverine, lacustrine wetland spreads into the three districts of Tarn Taran Sahib, Ferozepur and Kapurthala in Punjab and covers an area of 4100 ha. Conservation of this wetland has been given due importance, since 1987–88, both by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India and the Punjab State Government (through its several agencies), and over the years several studies and management programmes have been implemented. The nearest town to the wetland is Makhu, which connects to Ferozpur, Faridkot and Bhatinda. Ferozepur) Railway Station and Bus Stand is situated 10 km south of the Harike town. ==Ecology==

The rich biodiversity of the wetland, with several species of birds, turtles, snakes, amphibians, fishes and invertebrates, is reportedly unique. Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) carried out research and a bird ringing programme during the period 1980–85. Gharials The gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) was once found in great numbers in the Indus River system before its population dwindled and it is now classified as critically endangered in the International Union for Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) Red List of Endangered Species. The Punjab Government is now planning to release 10 gharials in the Harike Wetlands as the first step to increase their numbers and to attract more tourists. ==Issues==

A remote sensing study of the Wetland area coupled with the analysis of rainfall, discharge and ground water level showed that the flow pattern had diminished and the size of wetland area had reduced by about 30%, over a 13 years study period. Encroachment Encroachments on the wetland habitat for intensive agriculture with resultant effluents of agricultural chemicals and also controversial encroachments. due to the utilization of surface and ground waters for irrigation, regrowth of water hyacinth, soil erosion and siltation due to deforestation of the fragile lower Shivalik hills which form the catchment of the wetland, illegal fishing and poaching in violation of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, and indiscriminate grazing in the catchments resulting in damage to the wetland ecology. ==Conservation==

Restoration measures The gravity of the degraded status of the wetland has been addressed for implementing several restoration measures by a plethora of organizations/agencies/research institutions of the central and state governments and also the Indian Army Units located in the area. The measures undertaken to conserve the wetland have covered the following actions. The Chief Minister of the State of Punjab instituted, in 1998, the Harike Wetland Conservation Mission to prepare a Master Plan for the integrated conservation and development of the Harike wetland, undertake specific projects and programmes for the conservation, regulate, screen and monitor all development activities, and evaluate all plans and proposals of all departments of the Government which concern the future of Harike. Consequently, the Punjab State Council for Science and Technology evolved a management plan which involved, opening of sluice gates during monsoon for flushing the sedimentation, monitoring of water quality migration period, fencing some of the selected portions from encroachment, afforestation of the catchment area, soil conservation, education and public awareness, survey mapping & notification. The menace of water hyacinth was addressed by the Indian Army (Western Command, Vajra Corps.) in the year 2000, in a joint effort initiated by the Chief Minister of the State. Under the pilot project named "Sahyog" the Army adopted several innovative mechanical system of weed removal. Reforestation Dalbergia sissoo, Acacia nilotica, Zizyphus sp., Ficus sp., alien Prosopis juliflora in large clumps and other trees are planted along the embankment. The State Wildlife Department has constructed earthen mounds in the marsh area with trees planted on it to increase nesting sites for the birds. Water quality The Punjab State Council for Science & Technology has reported that the water quality of the lake is mostly of 'A' Class as per the designated best use criteria even though large volumes of polluted water discharge into the wetland from industries and urban centres. World wetlands day On 2 February 2003 the World Wetlands Day was celebrated at Harike with the watchword "No-wetlands-No Water", which also marked the "International Year of Freshwater". ==Gallery==

Image:GreenPigmyGoose.PNG|Pygmy goose Image:Yellow crowned Woodpecker (Male) I3 IMG 9638.jpg|Yellow-crowned woodpecker Image:Godwits and Gulls.jpg|Brown-headed gull Image:Black-headed Gull - St James's Park, London - Nov 2006.jpg|Blackheaded gull Image:Northern (Hen) Harrier.jpg|Hen harrier Image:Cetti's zanger.jpg|Cetti's warbler Image:Nelumbo nucifera nucifea0.jpg|Nelumbo nucifera – lotus Image:Illustration Najas marina0.jpg Image:Prosopis juliflora, known as the Velvet Mesquite (10078437503).jpg|Prosopis juliflora == See also ==