World Wetlands Day: Greens gather at Punjab’s Harike waterbody, raise concern over Sutlej, Beas colour change

Home to several migratory birds, the wetland draws many birdwatchers and activists every year on the occasion with activities to campaign for protecting the rich biodiversity and creatinga a love for the environment.

The 13th edition of the event had music, poetry, discussion and boat ride, but Niccholo Vacchi Soprano, a saxophonist from France, stole the show with his song ‘Bulana ji’ for the dolphins of Harike Wetlands. Soprano spoke a bit of Hindi and Punjabi to connect with the local residents.

The event was organised by NGOs Bhoomitra, Inner Wheel Club, Taran Taran unit, Punjab Action Committee (PAC), Mattewara, and INTACH Punjab.

Jaskirat Singh of PAC said that the visible colour change of Sutlej and Beas rivers to black and green respectively is an an indicator to the unaddressed pollution problem of Punjab.

“The reason for the colour change is the discharge of effluents and sewage from channels like Buddha Dariya and Kala Sanghian drain that dump waste water of industrial towns of Ludhiana and Jalandhar into the Sutlej,” he said.

The campaigners aim to bring together like-minded people who have love for environment and are committed to do something for its restoration, said Jaskirat told The Indian Express.

Earlier in the day, Niccholo Vacchi performed near orientation centre of Harike and later the activists did bird watching all along the Wetlands.

Manish Ahuja, a seasoned birder from Punjab Bird Club, and Navdeep Sood, an honorary wildlife warden, led the bird watching and nature walk expedition, explaining the visitors about various types of birds that have migrated from harsh winters of Siberia and Europe to the Harike Wetlands to enjoy the weather and fish of the Harike Wetland.

“The participants went on a boat ride from Karmuwala village or in other words it was a ‘ Beda Yatra’, where they recited poems, enjoyed music and gave talks on ecotourism. Music was also played by Nichilo in the evening. As the gathering was bigger this time, three bedas had to be arranged,” said Jaskirat Singh.

Dr Baljit Kaur, President of the Inner Wheel Club (Tarn Taran Sahib) said that people had come from all over Punjab to enjoy the scenic experience.

“Not many people knew that the Beas has these fresh water dolphins which have been sighted near Karmuwala many times in the past,” Kaur said.

The organisers also gifted a pair of France-made binoculars each to the boatmen.

Gen Balwinder Singh (retired), convenor of INTACH Punjab, said that such events that entertain and educate people about preserving nature at the same time are a must to promote ecotourism.

The environmentalists and others took part in an ecofriendly Langar (communal meal) where no utensils were used and food was served directly to hands.

Last year, about 50 people had gathered to observe Wetlands Day, and the numbers have more than doubled this time, said Jaskirat Singh.

The main organiser, Dr Sunny Sandhu who lives in France, however, couldn’t make it this year.