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Srinagar, Aug 1 (UNI) The largest sweat water lake in India, Wular Lake, Hokarsar, Ranjitsagar and Pangong Tsar are among eight water bodies in Jammu and Kashmir which have been brought under National Wetland Conservation (NWC).

Apart from Wullar, spread over 125 km in north Kashmir, Hokarsar and Pangong Tsar, five other water bodies of the Jammu and Kashmir which have also been brought under this programme are Tso Morari, Tisgul Tso- Chisul Marshes, Mansar-Surinsar and Pangong Tsar.

An official spokesman said Union Ministry of Environment and Forests has released an amount of Rs 53 crores for conservation of 94 wetlands in the country.

The amount has been released under National Wetland Conservation Programme for conservation and management of these wetlands. The activities for which 100 per cent central assistance is given include survey and demarcation, catchment area treatment, desilting and dredging, bio-fencing, fisheries development, weed control, biodiversity conservation and education and awareness about community participation.

According to survey many of the wetlands in the country are shrinking in size due to anthropogenic pressures, uncontrolled siltation, weed infestation, discharge of sewage and industrial effluents, surface run-off, chemical pesticides and fertilizers.

UNI