Budgam, Jan 31: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Budgam, Dr. Bilal Mohi-Ud-Din Bhat Saturday conducted an on-site visit to Hokarsar Wetland, a designated Ramsar Site, to personally assess the progress of the ongoing demarcation exercise being carried out by Revenue and allied departments.
During the field visit, the DC took a detailed stock of the demarcation works on ground and reviewed the placement and extension of boundary pillars.
It was informed that a significant portion of the demarcation process has progressed, with boundary pillars being installed/extended (elongated) at multiple identified locations to clearly mark and secure the wetland boundaries.
The DC interacted with the field teams and inspected geo-referenced boundary points, revenue records, and site measurements to ensure that the demarcation is being carried out in a scientific, accurate, and dispute-free manner. He stressed that clear and permanent boundary identification is critical to prevent encroachment, illegal land use, and ecological degradation of this internationally important wetland.
The DC emphasised that Hokarsar Wetland holds immense ecological, environmental, and biodiversity significance, and therefore its protection through proper demarcation is a top priority of the district administration.
He directed the concerned officers to ensure that all boundary pillars are installed strictly as per approved records, satellite mapping, and field verification to avoid any future ambiguity.
The DC further instructed Revenue, Forest, Survey & Land Records, and Police departments to maintain close inter-departmental coordination and ensure that all remaining stretches of the wetland are demarcated in a time-bound, transparent, and technically sound manner. He also directed for regular on-ground monitoring and submission of updated progress reports to the district administration.
The DC stated that robust demarcation will strengthen legal protection of Hokarsar Wetland and support long-term conservation efforts, safeguarding the site from encroachment and ensuring its ecological sustainability for future generations.
Besides SDM west Srinagar Irfan Bahadur, DFO Budgam, NT hqs Budgam and other concerned officials accompanied the DC during his visit.
