Srinagar, Feb 09 (KNO): Amid the ongoing Integrated Management Action Plan (IMAP) for Wetland Conservation Reserves of Kashmir, authorities at J&K Wildlife Department claim that more than 40 lakh migratory birds arrived in the valley wetlands in the last four years, while 2022 recorded the highest arrival with more than 12 lakh guest birds.
Wildlife Warden Wetlands, Ifshan Dewan told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the last four years recorded the arrival of more than 40 lakh migratory birds in the valley wetlands. “2022 recorded the highest numbers with as many as 12 lakh migratory birds visiting Kashmir,” she said.
Ifshan also said that the census of migratory birds for the year 2023 is likely to start next week.
According to the statistical figures shared by the Wildlife Department, the year 2019 recorded the arrival of around 9 lakh migratory birds, 8 lakh in 2020, 11 lakh in 2021 and approximately 12 lakh in 2022.
We have recorded the arrival of around 70 species of migratory birds, Dewan said.
While the officials last month said that a rare species of migratory duck was sighted at Wullar Lake after 84 years; every year, lakhs of migratory birds from Siberia, Europe, and Central Asia arrive in the Kashmir Valley.
As per the authorities at the Jammu and Kashmir Wildlife Department, interventions are taking place under the Integrated Management Action Plan (IMAP) in various wetlands of Kashmir in order to improve the habitat conditions to make them suitable for migratory waterfowl.
Notably, the five-year Integrated Management Action Plan (IMAP) 2022-2027 for Kashmir Wetland Conservation Reserves has outlined a number of threats and challenges in conserving the valley’s wetlands.
According to the document, the risks to the valley wetlands include siltation, weed infestation, pollution, habitat modification, water quality degradation, solid waste, and encroachment—(KNO)