Mohammad Hanief
With the onset of winter in the Kashmir Valley, migratory birds have started flocking to wetlands, seeking refuge from the harsher climates of Siberia, China and Eastern Europe while as hundreds of birds, including species like mallards and gadwalls, have already started arriving at Hokersar and other wetlands.
Migratory birds arrive every year to stay in lakes, marshes, and at least five wetland spots in Jammu and Kashmir, typically for about five months. The annual migration brings not only birds but also wildlife photographers, hobbyists, and bird watchers who flock to these wetlands for a glimpse of the rare visitors and this winter season a good number of migratory birds are expecting as the temperature dips in the coming months, the number of migratory birds will increase. Over one million migratory birds arrived in Kashmir during last winter season. This year, Kashmir experienced a prolonged dry spell, although recent snowfall in mountainous and hilly areas is signalling a return to colder conditions. With colder months ahead, the wetlands of Kashmir will continue to serve as a vital sanctuary for migratory birds, adding to the valley’s natural beauty and ecological diversity.
An impressive number of migratory birds have flocked to the region, upholding the centuries-old tradition of wintering in the wetlands. Hundreds of migratory birds, including mallards, gadwalls and various other species, have arrived at Hokersar wetland. Notably, more than 90 species of birds trek to breed and feed in the valley’s wetlands, travelling from Siberia, China, and Eastern Europe. These include mallards, common teals, bitterns, graylag geese, pintails, shovelers, tufted ducks, and cormorants.
For bird watchers, it’s an exciting time, especially as sightings can vary each year, however, despite the beauty and biodiversity, poaching remains a challenge for the wildlife department. The Jammu and Kashmir Wildlife department have already identified areas vulnerable to poaching and plan to intensify monitoring to prevent illegal activities in and around the boundaries of the wetland areas as they are committed to safeguarding these migratory species, and efforts to prevent poaching incidents are being prioritized with extra vigilance around the wetlands.
In a remarkable development for bird enthusiasts and conservationists alike, the elusive Great Bittern (Botaurus stellaris) has been sighted for the first time in the Kashmir Valley at the renowned Wular Lake. This significant event not only highlights the ecological importance of the region but also strengthens the ongoing efforts to preserve its rich biodiversity. As migratory birds return to their seasonal habitats, Wular Lake has once again proven to be a vital refuge for avian species.
The arrival of the Great Bittern, known for its distinctive booming call and cryptic plumage, marks an extraordinary occasion for ornithologists and nature lovers. Its presence in the valley underscores the significance of wetland conservation in sustaining diverse bird populations.
The Wular Lake, one of the largest freshwater lakes in Asia, serves as a crucial habitat for numerous migratory birds each year. The arrival of the Great Bittern adds to the lake’s already impressive roster of avifauna, including various species of ducks, herons, and other migratory birds that grace the region during the winter months.
Bird watchers and researchers are encouraged to visit Wular Lake to witness this remarkable event and participate in ongoing conservation initiatives. The sighting of the Great Bittern not only fosters excitement within the community but also serves as a reminder of the need for collective action to protect our natural heritage.
Wular lake is much cleaner and full of water. A dry spell has reduced the areas of the other water bodies across the Valley, especially in neighbouring areas like Hygam, Hokersar and Shallbough. Poaching of migratory birds has also come down due to strong vigilance around the lake. Now birds find this big water body a safe heaven.
In past 12 months, the clean waters of the lake has even attracted some rare species, such as Falcated Duck, Horned Grebe, Western Reef Heron, Smew Duck, Long-tailed Duck, Pacific Golden Polover and the Broad-billed Sandpiper.
Wular is a shallow lake with a maximum depth of 5.8 metres and covers 130 sq km, providing 60% of the Valley’s fish produce. Known for water chestnuts and lotus stems, the lake is the lifeline of the 30 surrounding villages. For the past three years, more than ?300 crore has been spent on the lake’s conservation, and experts say results are reflecting on ground.
The last Annual Water bird Census (AWC) in the Kashmir had revealed that the wetlands here provide a pleasant stay for the birds from across Europe, Japan, China and Central Asia. According to official Census figures the arrival of migratory birds ranged between eight to 12 lakh in 2022-23 and 11 to 12 lakh in 2021-22.
The migratory birds visiting Kashmir travel from the colder areas of the world, flying over continents in flocks. The birds that arrive here every year are mallards, greylag geese, pochards, common tails, shovelers, pintails and gharwals, which visit the region between October and April. Twelve lakh migratory birds from Eastern Europe and Central Asia visited Kashmir’s wetlands the previous year, as per the Wildlife Department Kashmir’s annual census.
Every year, the Wildlife Department Kashmir, in collaboration with several other agencies and stakeholders, conduct a census to determine the number of migratory birds that visit Kashmir during the winter. The season also attracts hobbyists, wildlife photographers and bird watchers, many of whom frequent these spots to catch glimpses of special guests as many of them look forward to this season to see a lot of them gathering near Dal Lake.
As the birds arrive, however, there is also a lurking threat from the poachers and hunters. The wildlife department seized more than 30 guns, including a rifle worth more than Rs 5 lakh, in the past two years. Around the same time, the Forest Protection Force (FPF) in north Kashmir’s Bandipora, where Wular Lake is one of the main sites for bird visits, claimed to have seized as many as 11 punt guns – about 9 feet long – from the poachers.
The wildlife department has implemented multiple measures to transform all wetlands into habitable spaces, resulting in a noticeable surge in bird activity. Last year, the Kashmir valley hosted more than 12 lakh migratory birds, some visiting for the first time. The department has taken several initiatives to maintain suitable habitats for these birds, ensuring an adequate water level in the wetlands. Apart from Hokarsar, other locations such as Wular Lake, Haigam, Shalbugh, Dal Lake, and Mirgund also attract migratory birds during the winter months.
Migratory period extends until March, when the birds return to their distant homelands, completing a cycle that has played out for centuries as the recent influx of migratory birds, numbering in lakhs, has infused the wetland reserves of Kashmir with vibrant hues and melodious sounds.
