Chandigarh, Sept. 10 -- The proposed desilting of the ecologically sensitive Harike Wetland has run into a regulatory hurdle, with the Punjab wildlife department objecting to any such activity within the sanctuary area.

Recognised as a Ramsar site in 1990, Harike Wetland supports more than 390 bird species, including migratory waterfowl that arrive from Central Asia and the trans-Himalayan region during winter. Annual bird census data cited in the report indicates that the wetland attracts between 90,000 and 1.25 lakh migratory birds every year.

The State Technical Advisory Committee (STAC), which met on Tuesday, decided to forward the proposal to the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) for consideration.

The proposal envisages desiltin...