20 acres of Ropar wetland destroyed to plant trees

Arun Sharma

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Tribune News Service

Ropar, December 29

Under a pilot project, the district Forest Department has ploughed nearly 20 acres, destroying the habitat of birds and reptiles on the Ramsar wetland, to plant willow trees.

District Forest Officer (wild life) Dev Raj Sharma said if the project was a success, they would advise farmers to plant these trees to generate extra income. Nearly 2,400 saplings would be planted on the site, he said.

In the project, a big chunk of wild animals’ natural habitat was destroyed. Various migratory birds flocked to the site every year during winter. Hundreds of damaged burrows also indicated that a large number of small animals and reptiles, including hare, porcupine, mongoose, python and snakes also lived here.

An international NGO in its report prepared in January said the popular Ramsar wetland located on the banks of the Sutlej was in danger due to human interference.

The Ropar wetland already witnessed a fall in the number of migratory birds last winter season. A survey conducted by the Wetlands International, South Asia, an international NGO, in its report prepared in January claimed that the number of migratory birds at Ropar wetland was declining rapidly due to human interference, including sand mining, motor-boating and fishing. The NGO is dedicated to sustaining and restoring wetlands under its project Asian Waterbirds Census.

The Forest Department’s move has agitated the bird watchers in the area. Nangal-based Prabhat Bhatti of NGO “Jagriti”, who has been working for the last 12 years to raise awareness about birds, said destroying the wetland would further reduce the number of endangered species of birds and animals in the area.

Another birdwatcher from Ropar town seeking anonymity said the wetland was home to several birds, eagrets, swamp hen, heron, chestnut bitter and streak baya weaver. These birds used the bushes and shrubs in the wetland for breeding and nesting, he said. The wetland that had thick bushes also provided a safe haven to sambar and hog deer, he said.

On planting willow trees, Dev Raj said the willow park would be used to educate visitors about the birds. Ironically, an interpretation centre for the purpose already exists near the site.