The Disappearing Sambhar Lake : A Wetlandby George Zacharia | 20-04-2018 01:32 |
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 The Ramsar convention as you all know is an International convention to conserve and protect Wetlands of importance. Being a Ramsar site offers many benefits including funds, policies, etc. But imagine, a world famous Ramsar Site, even after getting funds, the funds have been misused and illegal activities have led to it getting slowly disappeared. Reports have been made, but no action is being done. I'm talking about the Sambhar lake, the largest inland Salt Water lake in India. It is situated in Rajasthan. But, now if you look Sambhar is no more a lake. Its disappearing. It was once a large salt lake fed by four rivers. This lake has been led to extinction and the many flamingoes that used to visit the lake has been reduced to just a few. But the salt mining which was very limited has now increased to a tremendous size and this is the main reason behind the destruction of this wetland. ?The wetland of Ramsar status is under threat of water scarcity, desertification, disappearing biodiversity, increasing salt production, deteriorating quality of salt and overall eco-system. There is an urgent need for developing effective management strategy based on scientific studies for conservation of the wetland of international importance,? reported CSIRNational Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) that was commissioned to do a report by Rajasthan department of environment in April 2015. It still doesn't have a action plan even though it was designated as a Ramsar site in 1990. A road also has been made through the lake dividing the lake into two parts which can seriously affect the winter congregation of flamingoes. Its our duty to be stewards of Mother Nature and do our part. I hope the government takes necessary steps to protect this natural wonder. Sources: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/sambhar-a-lake-no-more/articleshow/62552440.cms?&utm_source=Articleshow&utm_medium=Organic&utm_campaign=Related_Stories Photos: Times Of India, Wikipedia
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