J&K: Sharp dip in number of migratory birds, rapid urbanisation likely cause say officials

Officials attribute rapid urbanisation, accumulation of silt and shrinking of wetlands as major causes of decline.

Asian Waterbird Census conducted last year in 13 wetlands across Kashmir had recorded over five lakh birds, but only 33 species with over 94 per cent of all the counted birds recorded in two wetlands, Hokersar and Shallabug. Earlier, Bombay Natural History Society’s annual Bird Migration Project in 1989 had recorded 64 species in the Valley wetlands.

“I have been watching birds for last 25 years in the valley. The diversity that we used to have some 15 years back has come down drastically,’’ said Intisar Suhail, a senior member of Kashmir Birdwatch – the valley’s only birding club.

“Some species that would be seen earlier no longer visit Kashmir. Many wetlands have dried up so there is a concentration in remaining wetlands, which is not a good sign because we have lost habitats,” he said.

In autumn, thousands of migratory birds from north Europe and central Asia fly to Kashmir and use its water bodies as a transitory stay. Officials say that species like Common Shelduck, Bar-Headed Geese and others have not been sighted in the wetlands of the Valley in the past many years.

Officials say the Hokersar wetland has shrunk to 13.75 square kilometers from 19 square kilometers, similarly, Haigam wetland that used to be 14 square kilometers has lost half of its area to encroachments. Wetlands like Gulzarpora and Chursoo in Awantipora have been transformed into paddy fields.

“It is natural for the wetlands to transform but human activity has enhanced the change which is not a good sign,” Suhail said.

Wildlife Warden Wetlands, Rouf Zargar blamed rapid urbanization as the main reason for shrinking of water land. “It negatively affects the bird migration as the species do not find enough surface area in a particular place for their activities,” he said.

Officials blame the flow of city’s main flood channel into Hokersar as another reason for degradation of the water body.

“The flood channel has devastated Hokersar. A lot of sediment and filth is being received by the wetland and it is infested of too much weed.”

With the exception of wetlands under wildlife department, most of the water bodies lack the wildlife protection character.

“The base data on flora and fauna is mostly from British times. We do not have an updated record on the bird species,’’ Tassaduq Mueen, another Kashmir Birdwatch member said.

Locals also blame the absence of planning and protection for encroachment of the wetlands.

“Our village used to have a vast area of marsh land, but few years back it was filled and now it is all paddy land. In the past we used to hear sounds of birds here but now there is complete silence as birds no longer visit our area,’’ said Aaqid Andrabi of Parigam village in Pulwama.