Amid conflict, pigeon keeping thrives in Kashmir

The centuries-old tradition of pigeon keeping has remained ingrained to life in the old quarters of Srinagar where flocks of pigeons on rooftops, in the courtyards of mosques and shrines and around marketplaces are a common sight. Many of these are domesticated, raised by one of the thousands of pigeon keepers there. Every week on Friday and Sunday, various breeds of domesticated and wild pigeons are sold in an open bazaar, locally known as Pigeon Market.

A man feeds pigeons at a market in Srinagar. (Source: AP)

Pigeon squabs are seen inside the house of a Kashmiri pigeon handler in Srinagar. (Source: AP)

Medicine and pigeons eggs are seen inside the house of a Kashmiri pigeon handler in Srinagar. (Source: AP)

Pigeons are seen inside a residential building in Srinagar. (Source: AP)

A Kashmiri pigeon handler feeds his pigeons from his rooftop in Srinagar. (Source: AP)

A Kashmiri pigeon handler keeps an eye on his pigeons on the roof of his house in Srinagar. (Source: AP)

A Kashmiri pigeon handler feeds pigeons inside his house in Srinagar. (Source: AP)

A Kashmiri pigeon handler checks a pigeon before buying it at an open pigeon market in Srinagar. (Source: AP)

A Kashmiri pigeon handler arrives at an open pigeon market in Srinagar. (Source: AP)

Kashmiri pigeon handlers buy pigeons at an open pigeon market in Srinagar. (Source: AP)

A Kashmiri pigeon handler checks a pigeon at an open pigeon market in Srinagar. (Source: AP)

Pigeons are displayed for sale at an open pigeon market in Srinagar. (Source: AP)

A Kashmiri pigeon handler waits for customers at an open pigeon market in Srinagar. (Source: AP)

A pigeons sits by a window mesh inside the house of a Kashmiri pigeon handler in Srinagar. (Source: AP)

A Kashmiri pigeon handler checks a pigeon at an open pigeon market in Srinagar. (Source: AP)