Hygam Wetland falls within the River Jhelum basin and plays a significant role as a flood absorption basin, biodiversity conservation site, ecotourism site, and livelihood security for the local communities. The wetland is located adjacent to the Southern tip of Wular Lake which is a Ramsar Site and forms a part of interconnected ecosystem complex. The wetland is located in the Baramulla district. It lies in the flood basin of the Jhelum River and the Sub-basin of Ningli and Ferozpora Nallah. Of the total water received by the Wetland, 90% is contributed from surface inlets and the remaining 10% through precipitation. The wetland is roughly a cone in outline and spreads over 801.82 ha.. The average elevation of the Wetland is 1580m above MSL. It serves as an abode to many residents and migratory bird species. It is also recognized as an Important Bird Area (IBA). Continuous siltation has decreased the depth of the wetland accompanied by a decrease in water levels. The willow plantations at places have also added to the siltation and accumulation of nutrients in the wetland and modified the wetland characteristics. Consequent to the high rate of siltation, Hygam Wetland has lost its wetland characteristics to a large extent and in many places changed its profile into a landmass. This has resulted in further loss of habitat conditions to offer a suitable site for visiting migratory birds (Winter/ Summer migrants) and for resident birds as well. Both the inlet channels have lost the gradient and velocity due to heavy silt load and therefore, act as the delta for all the silt load, pollutants, and nutrients into the wetland. The silted marshes/landmasses in the wetland are often brought under paddy cultivation by the fringe villagers.

A wetland should be considered internationally important if it contains a representative, rare, or unique example of a natural or near-natural wetland type found within the appropriate biogeographic region.

A wetland should be considered internationally important if it supports vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered species or threatened ecological communities.

A wetland should be considered internationally important if it supports populations of plant and/or animal species important for maintaining the biological diversity of a particular biogeographic region.

A wetland should be considered internationally important if it supports plant and/or animal species at a critical stage in their life cycles, or provides refuge during adverse conditions.

A wetland should be considered internationally important if it regularly supports 20,000 or more waterbirds.

A wetland should be considered internationally important if it regularly supports 1% of the individuals in a population of one species or subspecies of waterbird.

A wetland should be considered internationally important if it supports a significant proportion of indigenous fish subspecies, species or families, life-history stages, species interactions and/or populations that are representative of wetland benefits and/or values and thereby contributes to global biological diversity.

A wetland should be considered internationally important if it is an important source of food for fishes, spawning ground, nursery and/or migration path on which fish stocks, either within the wetland or elsewhere, depend.

A wetland should be considered internationally important if it regularly supports 1% of the individuals in a population of one species or subspecies of wetland-dependent nonavian animal species.