BIRDS OF KASHMIR
Birds form an important component of the ecosystem. They play useful role in the control of insects, pests of agricultural crops, as predators of rodents, as scavengers and pollinating agents. Kashmir is home to a rich biodiversity including a large number of bird species, many of which are unique to Kashmir. India’s best-known ornithologist Salim Ali once called Kashmir “heaven on earth for migratory birds.
The gloomy winter landscape of the Kashmir Valley has come alive with a myriad of colours with the arrival of three lakh winged visitors from as far as Central Asia and Europe. The winged visitors start arriving in the valley towards the first week of November to avoid extreme cold conditions in Siberia, China, Japan and other countries in northern hemisphere.
Wetland reserves witness hundreds of migratory birds landing and taking off each day as the birds leave the reserves for nocturnal feeding in different lakes and other water bodies in the evening and return in the morning. Of the 24 wetlands in Jammu and Kashmir, Hokersar, is the most famous which spreads over 13.75 square kilometers, and is situated in the city outskirts of Srinagar that hosts many migratory birds. Apart from Hokersar, the birds are also found in Dal, Manasbal and Wular lakes and other big and small water bodies. Some can also be seen in the agricultural lands and other orchards. Such areas play a vital role in sustaining a large population of migratory birds, and are also important for their staging and breeding. With the onset of winter, the birds migrate from Russia (Siberia), Central Asia, Philippines, Turkey, China and Europe to escape their extreme cold homes to the warmer climes of Kashmir. Brahminy duck, Tufted duck, Gadwall, Garganey, Greylag goose, Mallard, Common Merganser, Northern Pintail, Common Pochard, Ferruginous Pochard, White-eyed Pochard, Red-crested Pochard, Ruddy Shelduck, Northern Shovelar, Common Teal, Ergets, Wigeons, Coots, Little Cormorants etc are the most common migratory birds. Out of these, Grey Leg geese visit the Valley in the highest numbers. In search of feeding, breeding and nesting and to move to the ‘comparatively warmer’ regions these different species of birds have visited Indian-controlled Himalayan territory for hundreds of years.
Other than the migratory birds, there are ‘resident birds’, who spend their whole time in Kashmir. For example the Sandhill Crane and the Cormorant fly to the Indian plains in winters and then spend the spring months in Kashmir before moving to their summer homes.
The Kashmir flycatcher. The wildlife department takes care of these birds and during the extreme cold winter, when the waters freeze, they arrange special food for them. In the past poachers used to hunt and sell these birds but declaring bird shooting as a crime has slowed this down although not eliminated it. Unprotected birds in agricultural lands and at other water bodies are still their easy targets. The mesmerising beauty of these birds adds charm to the Valley – they play, sing, dance, and romance in the waters. Scores of bird-fanciers visit Hokersar. These birds signify the presence of life amid death. Watching them gives hope and pleasure to Kashmiris.
But, this idyllic picture of nature is under serious threat due to the erosion of the habitats in which these birds have long-thrived. Climate change as well as over-development and the loss of habitat or dilapidation of many wetlands has caused a steady decline in their numbers being recorded in recent years with some species having disappeared altogether. Wildlife experts reported that more than one million birds visited Kashmirs’ wetlands during the winters. Last year they recorded only half the number. The tense situation in the territory has made addressing environmental issues more difficult as security issues are routinely prioritised. The people and wildlife experts are becoming increasingly alarmed at the falling number of birds visiting their valley. Calls are finally being made for an urgent and massive effort to revive and conserve the wetland reserves of Kashmir so that once again more birds would fly here and bless the Valley with peace.
Now, a 10-year plan proposed by the Indian government hopes to help in the conservation of birds and their habitats in India. The visionary perspective plan (2020-2030) for the conservation of avian diversity, their ecosystems, habitats and landscapes in the country was put in the public domain by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on February 3, 2020. The plan proposes a series of short-term, medium-term and long-term plans to protect the rare and endangered species of birds, start species recovery programmes of critically endangered ones, introduce landscape approach to control their declining population, protect birds in urban areas, protect their habitats from turning into wastelands and conserve wetlands and coastal areas that are frequented by birds.
– Maj Amit Kumar
