Delay Arrival of Migratory Birds in Kashmir Valley

• 18 Nov 2024

Why in News?

Due to less rainfall in the Kashmir Valley, the wetlands are left severely dry adversely affecting the arrival of migratory birds.

Key Points

• Decline in Migratory Birds:
  • Each year, by late September or October, lakhs of migratory birds from Siberia, China, Central Asia, and Northern Europe migrate to the Kashmir Valley’s wetlands, with Hokersar Wetland being the most significant site.
  • In 2024, it noted a sharp decline in bird arrivals compared to previous years.
• Factors Contributing to Fewer Birds:
  • Experts attribute the decline to global warming, with prolonged summers delaying the onset of winter, resulting in a 10-15 day delay in bird arrivals.
  • Reduced rainfall and dry wetlands have worsened the situation, contributing to fewer birds this November. However, experts expect numbers to rise as weather conditions improve.
• Shrinking Wetlands and Habitat Loss:
  • Experts have raised concerns about the shrinking Hokersar wetland, also known as the 'Queen of Wetlands.'
    • From 1969 to 2008, the wetland’s area reduced from 18.75 sq km to 13 sq km, with a loss of 150 hectares of marshy land within it.
• Future Threat to Migratory Birds:
  • Without proper action to restore and protect these wetlands, the future of both the habitats and the migratory birds that depend on them remains uncertain.

Hokersar Wetland

• Location:
  • The Hokersar wetland, a Ramsar site, is situated in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir. It is also known as the ‘Queen Wetland of Kashmir’.
• Geographic Setting:
  • It is a natural, perennial wetland that is part of the Jhelum basin and is located in the northwest Himalayan biogeographic province of Kashmir, at the foot of the snow-draped Pir Panchal range.
• Water Source:
  • The wetland receives water from the Doodhganga River, a tributary of the Jhelum.
• Flora and Fauna:
  • It is home to the last remaining reedbeds of Kashmir and serves as a critical pathway for 68 waterfowl species.
  • These birds, migrating from regions like Siberia, China, Central Asia, and Europe, include species such as the little cormorant, common shelduck, large egret, and great crested grebe.
  • The wetland is vital for local biodiversity, offering food sources, spawning grounds, and nurseries for fish, along with breeding habitats for various species.