‘Record number of migratory birds visited Kashmir this winter’

Srinagar: A record 13 to 14 lakh birds from eastern Europe and Central Asia visited the wetlands of Kashmir this winter, a senior official of the Wildlife department said here.

The significant increase in the bird arrivals, which came to the fore during a census carried out by the wildlife department, was due to the efforts to restore and rejuvenate the wetlands, which form the winter home for these winged guests.

“We have seen a remarkable increase in the number of certain species of birds and the results are encouraging, especially with regard to the areas that used to be the primary habitats of these migratory birds, such as Hokersar, Hygam and Shallabugh,” Chief Wildlife Warden Rashid Naqash said.

He said an estimated 13 lakh to 14 lakh migratory birds visited the wetlands of Kashmir, including areas protected by the wildlife department as well as those falling outside its jurisdiction. “If we compare this number to the previous years — the last three to four decades — this is the highest recorded number,” Naqash added. Most of the birds seen at the wetlands are ducks and other waders and water birds.

The officer said the Wullar Conservation Management Authority has done some good work in terms of improving the habitat by restoring the critically-silted areas, which has attracted a large number of migratory birds.

“Wullar earlier used to be recognised as one of the biggest areas in terms of hosting a high number of migratory birds. But this time, we saw that the birds that used to arrive at these wetlands or the Wullar lake 30 to 40 years ago also made a comeback. Even some birds, such as long-tailed ducks and skimmers, were seen after decades,” he added.