Haryanawitnessed a 13.2% increase in wetlands in a decade due to artificial ponds, tanks and water-logged areas, but the state continues to lose its natural wetlands, according to theNational Wetland Decadal Change Atlas. Marking World Wetlands Day, theSpace Applications Centrereleased the atlas in February.
Wetlands are areas that are covered by water, permanently or temporarily. The report revealed that the total wetland area in Haryana was 29,710 hectares in 2006-07 and 33,649 hectares in 2017-18, showing a jump of 3,939 hectares. However, the natural wetlands along river streams witnessed a decline of 2,028 hectares from 2006-07 to 2017-18.
The state has 3.3% of the cultivable area in the country, contributing 5.6% of the total food grain production. A total of 1,441 wetlands have been mapped in Haryana. In addition, 10,529 waterlogged areas have also been identified.