Floods rejuvenate Keshopur wetland

The recent floods have acted as a catalyst to accelerate Keshopur wetland’s natural development rather than causing any significant harm.It is a natural wetland where the ecosystem is formed independently of human intervention and where land is perennially covered with water.

The floods uprooted everything in its surroundings but left the wetland richer than ever before. The 850-acre “Chamb”, as it is known in local parlance, is recognised all over the country for its natural marshlands and fishponds that sustain birdlife and endangered species like Sarus crane.

Paramjit Singh, DFO (Wildlife), said, “The floods have had a paradoxical effect. Instead of waterlogging, heavy rains actually recharged the water table. The influx of floodwaters from the Ravi floodplains deposited fresh silt and rich nutrients. This development is expected to replenish the soil,” he said.

Experts opine a recharged wetland can improve soil fertility and plant productivity. This development is expected to attract more migratory birds in the next season.

“This will also attract more eco-tourists than ever before. So much so, the aquatic wildlife adjusted very well to the higher water levels. No major displacement or relocation of birds was recorded,” the DFO added. The floods have provided fresh oxygen to the area.

The unkempt but captivating marshy area sustains the micro-economy of dozens of villages surrounding it.

“We never expected that a natural calamity would prove to be a boon for us,” said a nature guide. The entity was declared a Ramsar site in 2020. This means it is officially recognised worldwide for its immense ecological value.