PRELIMINARY FIELD SURVEY OF CHOS OF HOSHIARPUR: A POTENTIAL WETLAND SITE OF PUNJAB

PRELIMINARY FIELD SURVEY OF CHOS OF HOSHIARPUR: A POTENTIAL WETLAND SITE OF PUNJAB

Virat Jolli: Hoshiarpur is situated in north east part of Punjab State of India and falls under Beas-Satluj Doab. It shares boundary with Kangra and Una district of Himachal Pradesh and thus occupy position at the foothills of Shivaliks range of Lesser Himalayas. Many small rivers discharge water through numerous small river channels which shaped the landform of Hoshiarpur. These river channels are prominent feature of this district and are popularly known as Chos. These Chos are seasonal and remain flooded during monsoon while dry during summer and winter seasons. Parsote a small village around 5 km from Mahalpur and 15 km from Hoshiarpur city of Punjab has Chos which extended upto 2-3 km in the region. The chos was surveyed during early November i.e. pre winter season. A 2 km trail was covered with local villager named Gopi, who is well acquainted with the area. The site had mangoes, neem and eucalyptus trees at the periphery of the wetland and these wetland are surrounded by agricultural fields. The Chos has predominantly phragmites and typha plant species. During the preliminary survey we observed silverbills, avadavats, munias, whitethroat, white throated kingfisher, black winged stilts, Indian pond heron. Apart from this wild boars were also spotted. 

Red Avadavat

Wetland of Parsote, Hoshiarpur

Wetland plants that help in purify water

Flock of Black winged Stilts foraging

Wetland recharging ground water table

Scaly breasted Munia

The adjoining agricultural field had Greater coucal and Red napped ibis flocks along with cattle egrets. The presence of these wetlands birds contribute in biological diversity of this region. These birds make wetland ecosystem function by cycling of energy and nutrients. These wetlands also helps in recharging ground water, prevent flood and drought in the region. Apart from providing fish and honey it also help in purify water and ensure clean drinking water in the region for the locals. During the interaction with local villagers, they told us that now water table has gone down. We reported sand mining in the region from these wetlands. But we did not know if they had the permission to collect sand from wetlands. Moreover now river water from mountains is regulated through check dams which has significantly reduced the chos areas. This may be the reason for decrease in ground water table of the region.The region has experienced short term economic gain through reclamation of wasteland/wetland which add up in cultivated land and increased farmers income. However it comes with a cost i.e. loss of water purification of river water, ground water recharging, food, fodder and fuel through this important ecosystem.