Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Feb 18: The Department of Wildlife Protection, in collaboration with the Wular Conservation and Management Authority (WUCMA), is set to conduct the Asian Waterbird Census (AWC) on February 19.
This annual initiative helps estimate the population of migratory birds visiting Kashmir’s wetlands and assess the ecological health of these vital habitats. The census will cover 25 key wetlands, including four Ramsar sites-Hokersar, Haigam, Shallabugh, and Wular Lake. The census will be carried out under strict supervision by trained personnel, with experts and volunteers systematically recording bird species, counting populations, and documenting behavioral patterns.
Ahead of the census, an orientation program was held today at IMPA, where volunteers were trained in bird identification, population estimation techniques, and data collection methods. The session saw participation from scholars at SKUAST, students from various colleges, and members of NGOs such as the Wildlife Conservation Fund, SRDE, Wildlife SOS, WRCF, and SEEDS. Officials from the Forest Territorial Department, Forest Protection Force, Wildlife Department, and WUCMA, along with experienced birdwatchers, also attended.
Rashid Yahya Naqash, Regional Wildlife Warden, spoke about the migratory patterns of birds arriving in Kashmir’s wetlands from November to March, highlighting the Central Asian Flyway, which connects Russia, Siberia, Europe, and China to Kashmir’s wetlands.
Tawheed Ahmad Deva, Regional Wildlife Warden, Kashmir, emphasized that the census is a key scientific tool, with bird migration serving as an indicator of wetland health. He noted that over 12 lakh migratory birds have been recorded in Kashmir’s wetlands in the past two years, underscoring their global ecological significance.
Altaf Hussain, Wildlife Warden, Wetlands Kashmir, and Coordinator of WUCMA, expressed satisfaction that most of Kashmir’s major wetlands currently have sufficient water levels to support migratory birds. He highlighted interventions such as the construction of regulatory gates at Hokersar, which have improved water retention and created a more stable habitat for migratory birds.
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