SRINAGAR, FEBRUARY 20 (KNS): The Department of Wildlife Protection (DoWP), Jammu & Kashmir Govt. (Wetlands Division, Kashmir), is conducting the census of Migratory/resident Birds in the valley wetlands on 21 st of February-2023.

The participants from Kashmir University, SKUAST-K, Central University, various colleges, Wildlife Conservation Fund, National Development Foundation, Biodiversity Management Committees, Kashmir Bird Watchers Club, Wildlife SOS, Wildlife Researchers, Society for Environment Education and Development, Wildlife Conservation Foundation, Volunteers and freelancers are taking part in the said census.

Meanwhile, in this milieu an orientation programme was conducted at Camping Ground, Hokersar Srinagar to inculcate the census techniques amongst the participants and to add valuable suggestions received from the participants. Different teams/groups were established on spot for different locations so that comprehensive estimation will be ensured.

The aim of the bird count is to monitor the population fluctuation trends of migratory birds and to collect overall figures to incorporate the same with the general bird count throughout India.

The census is being conducted on 21st of February-2023  not only in eight protected wetlands managed by the department like Hokersar, Shalabugh, Hygam, Mirgund, Chatlum, Kranchoo, Manibugh, Freshkhoori but also in other 25 water bodies of the valley which harbor sizeable number of migratory birds during winter migration.

The Wildlife Warden, Wetlands Division Kashmir, Ifshan Deewan, stated that coordinated efforts by the Department of Wildlife Protection to conduct the Annual Water bird Census (AWC) this year shall go a long way in creating a sound database of various water bird species particularly the migratory waterfowl that visit the wetlands of the Valley during winter months.(KNS)