Srinagar 24 April(KNB): The J&K RTI Movement strongly refutes and condemns the misleading and misrepresented statement circulated by the so-called “EPG” regarding the recent engagement at Haigam Wetland Conservation Reserve.
The attempt to portray the interaction as an “inspection” is not only factually incorrect but appears to be a deliberate distortion aimed at gaining unwarranted publicity and undermining a genuine participatory process.
Let it be placed on record that the gathering in question was a consultative meeting, convened in response to the aspirations of the local communities and facilitated by the Department of Wildlife Protection in coordination with the Hon’ble MLAs, including Irfan Hafiz Lone and Riaz Ahmad Bedar. The meeting brought together a diverse group of stakeholders,local residents, technical experts, civil society organizations including SRDE, and officials from the Department of Irrigation and Flood Control—reflecting a rare and much-needed model of inclusive environmental governance.
The central objective of the consultation was to seek public suggestions and technical inputs on the proposed diversion of Ningli Nalla and Balkul streams, which directly influence the ecological health of the Haigam wetland. The discussion was open, participatory, and grounded in the realities of both ecological sustainability and the socio-economic needs of the communities dependent on this fragile ecosystem.
Representing the voice of civil society, Dr. Shaikh Ghulam Rasool, Founder of the J&K RTI Movement and Nature Conservancy Alliance (NCA), articulated the concerns and aspirations of the people with clarity and conviction. He strongly emphasized that any intervention in the wetland’s hydrology must be guided by scientific assessment, ecological sensitivity, and above all, the principle of community consent and participation. He reiterated that wetlands like Haigam are not wastelands to be engineered at will, but living ecosystems that sustain biodiversity, regulate water systems, and support livelihoods.
It is pertinent to highlight that the Department of Wildlife Protection, represented by senior officials including the Regional Wildlife Warden Kashmir Mr Taweed Ahemad Deva (IFS)and Wildlife Warden Wetlands Mr Althaf Hussian sahb DCF, acknowledged the importance of these inputs and formally requested further recommendations from SRDE to ensure that conservation efforts are aligned with sustainable development goals.
The J&K RTI Movement views this consultative exercise as a progressive step towards democratic environmental decision-making, where people are not passive recipients but active participants in shaping the future of their natural resources. Any attempt to mischaracterize such processes is not only irresponsible but also detrimental to the spirit of transparency and public trust.
We urge all stakeholders, including self-proclaimed groups like EPG, to refrain from spreading misinformation and instead engage constructively in safeguarding the ecological heritage of Jammu & Kashmir. The challenges facing our wetlands demand seriousness, integrity, and collaboration, not sensationalism.
The J&K RTI Movement remains committed to defending the rights of nature, the rights of communities, and the principles of accountability and transparency in all matters of environmental governance.
“Our wetlands are our lifelines their protection must be guided by truth, science, and the voices of the people, not by distortion and opportunism.”(KNB)