Gharana Wetland Reserve (18200)
India, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2004
National site name: Gharana Wetland Reserve
Central coordinates: Latitude: 32.8412, Longitude: 74.5845
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 400 00
Area of KBA (km2): 2.64525
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The Gharana wetland is important for migratory birds and more than 20,000 birds are seen during winter. It is located about 30 km from Jammu city, extending to the Pakistan border west of Gharana village. This wetland is 8 km from Ranbir Singhpora town. The State Government owns the Indian part of the wetland.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that was identified using previously established criteria and thresholds for the identification of Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) and for which available data indicate that it does not meet global KBA criteria and thresholds set out in the Global Standard.
Additional biodiversity: AVIFAUNA: No much is known about the bird life except that it is a good habitat for waterfowl. There is a need to conduct bird surveys. This year more than 2000 Bar-headed Geese Anser indicus were recorded (T. Shawl and I. Suhail pers. comm 2004). OTHER KEY FAUNA: The mammalian fauna of the wetland environs includes Spotted Deer or Chital Axis axis, Barking Deer Muntiacus muntjak, Nilgai Boselaphus tragocamelus and Wild Boar Sus scrofa.
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 100 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: MAIN THREATS: Military activities; Invasive species; Poaching; Encroachment. Being located on the border, shelling by security people across the border is a constant problem. The wetland is infested with Water Hyacinth Eichhornia crassipes and Typha. While the later may not be an issue as it is a native plant, the former is one of the most pernicious invasive weeds of India and has destroyed many wetlands.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Small-holder farming | Ongoing |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Named species | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Intentional use (species being assessed is the target) | Ongoing |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | War, civil unrest & military exercises | Ongoing |