According to the wetland division of Indian-administered Kashmir nearly eight hundred thousand birds of 20 different varieties have arrived in the region since October, 2011. Most of the birds come from different parts of North Europe, Siberia, China, Afghanistan and Central Asia. Although state wildlife authorities say they have seen more avian visitors than expected, many species and even the wetlands are facing threats. “For the sustenance of the water bodies we have to have to have relation with other organizations and government agencies. Many water bodies are shrinking year after year because of the agriculture practices,” Abdul Rouf Zargar, a wildlife warden told Press TV. Local authorities say that during the peak years of unrest in Kashmir there was very less migration, as forests and wetlands were almost unattended and there was no management. “The unrest had great impact on the water bodies. There was lawlessness and interference in the water bodies. Now things are totally different. We have control and supervision on the water bodies,” Zargar added. The local administration’s inaction to save Kashmir’s wet lands during the last couple of years has led to an environmental crisis. Experts in the field believe that urgent attention must be given to the dying wet lands otherwise in upcoming years people will be forced to use the contaminated water full of pollutants. TNP/JR
Migratory birds arrive in Kashmir
January 5, 2012 By