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Wetlands in Haigam Rakh , Haigam Rakh in Kashmir, Haigam Rakh , Haigam Rakh Kashmir. |
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HAIGAM RAKH - Kashmir
Location: in Baramullah district in the Kashmir Valley, 30 km northwest of Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir
Area: 1400 ha
Altitude: 1580m
Biogeographical province: 2.38.12 Wetland type: 14,15, 19
Description of site: A shallow, permanent, freshwater lake (maximum depth 1.25m) on the floodplain of the Jhelum River in the Kashmir Valley. The greater part of the lake is dominated by extensive reed-beds. Channels have been cut through the reed-beds to allow the passage of boats between areas of open water. The lake is fed by the perennial streams of the Balkul and Nigh Flood Channels and numerous smaller streams. The water table falls in late summer and reaches its lowest in autumn, then begins to rise again in early winter. Dissolved oxygen can reach very low levels in summer. The underlying soils are of a silty-clayey-loam type. The surrounding land is predominantly rice paddy and natural marsh, with some pastures which flood after heavy rains. Strips of willow (Salix sp) have recently been planted around the perimeter of the lake
Climatic conditions: Sub-mediterranean climate with very warm, relatively dry summers, and cold, wet winters with some precipitation in the form of snow. The average annual rainfall is 900 mm, most of which falls between January and March. There is some rainfall in summer, but no monsoon. Temperatures in summer (May-August) average 25-30°C Principal vegetation: Most of the lake is covered by a dense reed-bed. Dominant species include Typha angustata, Phragmites communis, Phalaris arundinancea, Sparganium erectum, Scirpus spp., Carex spp., and Eleocharis palustris. Open water areas have a floating community of water lilies (Nymphaea, Nymphoides) and Traps natans, and beds of Potamogeton crispus and P. nodosus. Some 183 species of phytoplankton have been recorded, with Chlorophyceae predominating. A strip of Salix sp., has recently been planted as a silt trap around the edge of the lake, which is surrounded by rice paddies, orchards, and damp pastures Land tenure: State-owned (Government of Jammu & Kashmir). The surrounding land is mainly under the communal ownership of the local villages
Conservation measures taken: The entire wetland is protected as a game sanctuary by the Department of Wildlife Protection Jammu & Kashmir. The hunting of waterfowl is permitted at a low level during the winter months, and permits are issued for the cutting of reeds during summer, but development of the area is restricted. Active measures have been taken to restrict siltation, to maintain areas of open water, and to prevent further encroachment of rice paddies Conservation measures proposed: Existing management policies will be continued and waterfowl hunting will be maintained at a regulated level. Increasing attention will be given to controlling encroachment, particularly the conversion of marginal areas to rice paddy, and to the problem of siltation. Plans include: (a) the erection of a barbed wire fence around the lake to prevent further encroachment; (b) the diversion of the Balkul Flood Channel to minimise the silt load entering the lake; (c) the construction of a sluice gate
Land use: The principal activities in summer are the harvesting of reeds, both by local villagers and contractors, and fishing on a relatively small scale. In winter, the main activity is waterfow1hunting. Livestock are grazed at the edges of the marsh and in adjacent wet pastures. Surrounding areas are mostly agricultural land (rice paddies and orchards) Possible changes in land use: Reafforestation of the surrounding mountain slopes may eventually lead to a considerably reduced silt input
Distuturbances and threats: The major problem at Haigam Lake is the increasing rate of siltation, which has caused a noticeable deterioration in wetland quality in recent years. In recognition of this problem, the Department of Wildlife Protection is making strenuous efforts to control silt input, and has plans to dredge and clear sections of the wetland. Fertilisers are widely used on the surrounding agricultural land, and these enter the lake as run-off, accelerating the rate of eutrophication. Other threats include encroachment as more land is converted to rice paddy, and heavy grazing damages in some parts of the marsh. The intensive reed-cutting by contractors in late summer causes some disturbance to nesting birds
Economic and social values: The wetland is of major Species such as garganey, gadwall, mallard, shoveller, pintail, and wigeon use the lake in transit. Other common waterfowl include pond heron, yellow bittern, large egret, little egret, and purple moorhen. Puntius chonchonius, Channa gachua, Rasbora rasbora, Labeo rohita, and Trichogaster fasciatus constitute the common ichthyofauna of the lake. Lessemys punctata punctata and Trionyx gangeticus are the two species of turtle found here The presence of freshwater medusae (Mansariella facustris) (a coelenterate), which is a rare species in these parts, adds to the uniqueness of this lake
Special floral values: No information
Location: in Baramullah district in the Kashmir Valley, 30 km northwest of Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir
Area: 1400 ha
Altitude: 1580m
Biogeographical province: 2.38.12 Wetland type: 14,15, 19
Description of site: A shallow, permanent, freshwater lake (maximum depth 1.25m) on the floodplain of the Jhelum River in the Kashmir Valley. The greater part of the lake is dominated by extensive reed-beds. Channels have been cut through the reed-beds to allow the passage of boats between areas of open water. The lake is fed by the perennial streams of the Balkul and Nigh Flood Channels and numerous smaller streams. The water table falls in late summer and reaches its lowest in autumn, then begins to rise again in early winter. Dissolved oxygen can reach very low levels in summer. The underlying soils are of a silty-clayey-loam type. The surrounding land is predominantly rice paddy and natural marsh, with some pastures which flood after heavy rains. Strips of willow (Salix sp) have recently been planted around the perimeter of the lake
Climatic conditions: Sub-mediterranean climate with very warm, relatively dry summers, and cold, wet winters with some precipitation in the form of snow. The average annual rainfall is 900 mm, most of which falls between January and March. There is some rainfall in summer, but no monsoon. Temperatures in summer (May-August) average 25-30°C Principal vegetation: Most of the lake is covered by a dense reed-bed. Dominant species include Typha angustata, Phragmites communis, Phalaris arundinancea, Sparganium erectum, Scirpus spp., Carex spp., and Eleocharis palustris. Open water areas have a floating community of water lilies (Nymphaea, Nymphoides) and Traps natans, and beds of Potamogeton crispus and P. nodosus. Some 183 species of phytoplankton have been recorded, with Chlorophyceae predominating. A strip of Salix sp., has recently been planted as a silt trap around the edge of the lake, which is surrounded by rice paddies, orchards, and damp pastures Land tenure: State-owned (Government of Jammu & Kashmir). The surrounding land is mainly under the communal ownership of the local villages
Conservation measures taken: The entire wetland is protected as a game sanctuary by the Department of Wildlife Protection Jammu & Kashmir. The hunting of waterfowl is permitted at a low level during the winter months, and permits are issued for the cutting of reeds during summer, but development of the area is restricted. Active measures have been taken to restrict siltation, to maintain areas of open water, and to prevent further encroachment of rice paddies Conservation measures proposed: Existing management policies will be continued and waterfowl hunting will be maintained at a regulated level. Increasing attention will be given to controlling encroachment, particularly the conversion of marginal areas to rice paddy, and to the problem of siltation. Plans include: (a) the erection of a barbed wire fence around the lake to prevent further encroachment; (b) the diversion of the Balkul Flood Channel to minimise the silt load entering the lake; (c) the construction of a sluice gate
Land use: The principal activities in summer are the harvesting of reeds, both by local villagers and contractors, and fishing on a relatively small scale. In winter, the main activity is waterfow1hunting. Livestock are grazed at the edges of the marsh and in adjacent wet pastures. Surrounding areas are mostly agricultural land (rice paddies and orchards) Possible changes in land use: Reafforestation of the surrounding mountain slopes may eventually lead to a considerably reduced silt input
Distuturbances and threats: The major problem at Haigam Lake is the increasing rate of siltation, which has caused a noticeable deterioration in wetland quality in recent years. In recognition of this problem, the Department of Wildlife Protection is making strenuous efforts to control silt input, and has plans to dredge and clear sections of the wetland. Fertilisers are widely used on the surrounding agricultural land, and these enter the lake as run-off, accelerating the rate of eutrophication. Other threats include encroachment as more land is converted to rice paddy, and heavy grazing damages in some parts of the marsh. The intensive reed-cutting by contractors in late summer causes some disturbance to nesting birds
Economic and social values: The wetland is of major Species such as garganey, gadwall, mallard, shoveller, pintail, and wigeon use the lake in transit. Other common waterfowl include pond heron, yellow bittern, large egret, little egret, and purple moorhen. Puntius chonchonius, Channa gachua, Rasbora rasbora, Labeo rohita, and Trichogaster fasciatus constitute the common ichthyofauna of the lake. Lessemys punctata punctata and Trionyx gangeticus are the two species of turtle found here The presence of freshwater medusae (Mansariella facustris) (a coelenterate), which is a rare species in these parts, adds to the uniqueness of this lake
Special floral values: No information
For Wetlands in Haigam Rakh
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