Latest news with #Ramsar-designated
Time of India
a day ago
- Science
- Time of India
Study calls for urgent conservation of Doon Valley rivers to check flood risks
Dehradun: The Suswa watershed in Doon Valley, which covers 310.9 sq km and forms part of the Song basin, requires urgent conservation to check soil erosion and promote sustainable land use, a new study published in the peer-reviewed journal Water has revealed. The Asan watershed, spanning 701.1 sq km with a westward flow, and the Song watershed, covering 1,040.5 sq km with an eastward flow, are the two key watersheds in the valley. The study titled 'Watershed Prioritisation with Respect to Flood Susceptibility in the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) Using Geospatial Techniques for Sustainable Water Resource Management', compared the valley's watersheds and found sharp differences in drainage patterns and erosion risks. It flagged the Suswa watershed, that runs through Dehradun's urban centre, including IT Park, Raipur, Kanwali Road and Dudhli, as the most at risk. The study was carried out by a team of researchers, scientists and professors from the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), and Amity University. They used a "Compound Factor Value" (CFV) method to assess the watershed vulnerability. This approach combines slope, drainage density and other terrain factors into a single index. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like A Day in the Life at Siemens Energy Siemens Energy Read Now Undo A lower CFV signals higher risk, meaning greater priority for conservation. "Among the selected watersheds, CFVs ranged from 1.75 to 2.17, and Suswa ranked highest priority (1.75) due to its high erosion susceptibility, and the Song watershed lowest priority (2.17)," the study stated. This monsoon, four people lost their lives in just two weeks in rain-related incidents in Dehradun. The Suswa river, passing through the city, is under additional stress from sewage discharge, solid waste dumping, and encroachments, said the researchers. They called for conservation measures including "vegetative buffers, improved drainage management, and stream restoration initiatives" to reduce risk. The Song watershed is also vulnerable to flash floods because of steep slopes and high stream frequency and the researchers recommended interventions such as afforestation, check dams and slope stabilisation. The Asan watershed, home to Uttarakhand's only Ramsar-designated wetland, was ranked medium priority. Though more stable, the researchers warned "it could become more susceptible if left unmanaged due to development pressures and climate change." They stressed the need for "wetland protection, demarcation of buffer zones, and upstream land use control" to safeguard water inflow and quality. The research, based on high-resolution satellite data, revealed clear differences in drainage and erosion risk across the valley. "Its most significant contribution is the combination of geospatial data and morphometric parameters to develop a tiered watershed management framework for a data-scarce Himalayan region," said the authors. Lead author Ashish Mani, senior researcher at WII, said, "Future efforts should focus on afforestation, soil conservation in high-risk areas, sustainable land-use planning, flood mitigation, community engagement, and long-term monitoring using remote sensing and GIS. These steps will ensure effective watershed management, minimise environmental degradation, and enhance resilience against erosion and flooding in the Himalayan region. " He added that the findings support the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on clean water, climate action, and life on land. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Happy Krishna Janmashtami Wishes ,, messages , and quotes !
Shafaq News
26-07-2025
- General
- Shafaq News
Fires threaten UNESCO's Iraqi Marshes for oil exploitation
Shafaq News – Maysan On Saturday, an Iraqi environmental activist warned of deliberate fires engulfing parts of the Hawizeh Marshes in Maysan province. These fires are clearing the way for oilfield development, endangering one of Iraq's most precious ecosystems. Mortada al-Janoubi told Shafaq News that the blazes are concentrated in the al-Azeem section of the marsh, reportedly set by an Iraqi company in partnership with a Chinese firm. 'The company is building embankments up to seven meters high and cutting roads through the marsh,' al-Janoubi said, stressing that dense reeds are being burned to prepare the area for development. This site is part of Iraq's 'fifth licensing round,' signed in February 2023, which includes six oilfields and exploration blocks. China's Geo-Jade Petroleum was awarded the Huweiza field, covering approximately 17 by 8 kilometers. Drilling in this Ramsar-designated wetland, al-Janoubi cautioned, risks long-term ecological harm and may breach international conservation treaties. 'This is not ordinary land,' he added. 'It's a World Heritage Site that shelters thousands of species.' The Mesopotamian Marshes—comprising the Central Marshes, Hawizeh, and the Eastern and Western Hammar—form the largest inland wetland system in the Middle East. For centuries, these marshes have sustained fishing, buffalo herding, and reed craftsmanship, nurturing a unique cultural heritage. In 2016, UNESCO recognized the Iraqi Marshes on its World Heritage List, highlighting their rich biodiversity and deep historical ties to ancient Mesopotamian civilizations.
CairoScene
12-06-2025
- CairoScene
This Hidden Peninsula in Oman Is Wilderness Written in Salt
This Hidden Peninsula in Oman Is Wilderness Written in Salt Bar al Hikman lies flat across the southeast coast of Oman, a finger of salt-rubbed land stretching into water the colour of worn glass. To get there, one must drive hours through the Al Wusta governorate, past low desert brush and long, crumbling fences, until even the road itself gives out. What remains is a salt flat—25 miles of white, hardened ground. In summer, it cracks open under the heat; in winter, it softens with rain. The sky is wide and the sun deliberate. There are no mountains, no hills, no mosques, no gas stations. Only a few palm trees stand near the entryway, and behind them: sand, wind, and sea. Everything else has stepped aside. Some call it the Maldives of Oman, but that seems less like a comparison and more like a dare. Bar al Hikman doesn't trade in turquoise clichés or curated stillness. It's not pretty in the usual way. What it is, instead, is utterly exposed—a convergence of land and life. There are coral beds and seagrass banks hidden deep beneath the shallows. At night, green turtles nose their way across the sand, leaving trails no tide can erase. At dawn, long-legged waders flick through lagoons too shallow for swimming. This is the kind of place where time slips off the wrist. It is a Ramsar-designated wetland now—protected for the birds that pass through it, over 140 species in all. Some come from as far as Siberia. Others, perhaps more daring, tend to stay. A few kilometers inland, at the edge of a crumbling rock outcrop, a small, pale cluster of tents marks the only place to sleep. Whales Head Camp is not a hotel in the traditional sense. There is no air-conditioning, no signal, no formal dining room. When it arrives, the food is grilled fish and warm rice, served in quiet. But it is clean and generous, and the tents face the water. In the early hours, when the wind stills and the light slips over the flats, you can see the flamingos moving through the mist like candle flames. Bar al Hikman is not for everyone. There are no curated trails, no polished signs, no souvenirs. What you get is this: a landscape more mineral than soil, sandbars that shift with the tides, air so clear it turns harsh, and a kind of silence that sharpens the senses. You come for the solitude, and the solitude is total. A heron lifting off from a tidal pool. A crab reshuffling sand with a single claw. These are the moments that mark the hours. The peninsula has stood this way for years—it was placed on Oman's tentative list for UNESCO heritage status in 2013, but nothing about it feels protected. There are no fences keeping nature in or people out. The waves rise and fall. The birds arrive and leave. And the salt wind writes its lines across the dunes like a hand without haste. Getting here takes effort. Understanding this place, if such a thing is possible, takes time. But for those who come, and stay long enough to see the stars reflected in the tide pools at night, Bar al Hikman gives its guests something rare: a sense of the world before explanation, unmarked and undivided. A map without borders, a trip without itinerary. And perhaps that, more than anything else, is why it's worth the journey.
Time of India
16-05-2025
- Time of India
Loktak Lake: Manipur's floating wonder shines as eco-tourism jewel
1 2 Imphal: Manipur 's Loktak Lake , recognised as the world's only floating lake , is quickly becoming a leading eco-tourism spot in India. Located in the state's core, this Ramsar-designated area is renowned not just for its picturesque landscapes but also for its essential contribution to the welfare of local communities and biodiversity. Famous for its distinctive floating phumdis, circular clumps of vegetation and soil, the lake provides visitors with an exceptional experience. While boating on its serene waters, tourists can enjoy breathtaking views, refreshing air, and insights into the lively local culture. "Those visiting from UP and Bihar should come; it's a beautiful and serene location," said Rahul Yadav, a traveller. Another guest, Jahangir, described it as "an excellent destination to relax with friends. There are motorboats, hills, and pristine waters a truly wonderful place." In addition to attracting visitors, Loktak is a crucial resource for the Manipur residents. It aids in irrigation, hydropower generation, and fishing, playing an essential role in the daily livelihoods of nearby inhabitants. "At least once a month, we receive income from tourists, which is distributed among society members," said Ibosana, the president of the Lake Loktak Tourism Development Cooperative Society. Acknowledging the lake's ecological significance, the Manipur govt is taking active steps to safeguard and rehabilitate it. Today, Loktak epitomises Manipur's dedication to sustainable development , an area where nature, culture, and community converge to create a greener and more optimistic future. ANI
