SEERAT-UN-NISA
BANDIPORA, Dec 30: In a significant step towards promoting birdwatching, wetland conservation and eco-friendly livelihoods, the Wular Conservation Management Authority (WUCMA) on Tuesday commenced a two-day Wular Bird Watch Capsule Course at the Kashmir Forest Training School (KFTS), Chitternar, in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district.
The capsule course is being organised under the Wular Bird Watch Conclave and forms part of the preparatory activities for the proposed Wular Bird Festival, scheduled to be held in February. The initiative aims to nurture a well-informed and enthusiastic group of young birdwatchers, students and nature lovers who can serve as long-term ambassadors for the conservation of Wular Lake—one of Asia’s largest freshwater wetlands.
The programme seeks to sensitise participants about the ecological importance of wetlands, particularly Wular Lake, while encouraging community participation in conservation efforts. Officials said the course is designed to blend scientific knowledge with ethical birdwatching practices, ensuring that conservation and tourism go hand in hand.
Speaking to media persons on the sidelines of the event, Project Coordinator, Wular, Owais Farooq Mir, described Wular Lake as a critical component of the Central Asian Flyway, a major migratory route for birds.
“Every year, thousands of migratory birds visit the wetlands of Kashmir from different parts of the world. During the 2024 census, around 12 lakh migratory birds were recorded in Wular Lake and its adjoining wetlands,” he said.
Mir said that Wular has emerged as a major attraction for birdwatchers from across Kashmir and outside the region. “Bird enthusiasts from different parts of the country visit Wular to witness its rich avian diversity. Through such initiatives, we are trying to develop a culture of birdwatching among local communities living around the lake,” he added.
He further said that birdwatching can also open new livelihood avenues for people residing along the banks of Wular. “Apart from nurturing interest in birds, this initiative has the potential to generate eco-tourism-linked livelihoods. When local people see economic benefits, they will be more motivated to play a proactive role in conserving Wular and protecting migratory birds,” Mir said.
Officials highlighted that several ongoing initiatives around Wular are aimed not only at environmental restoration but also at creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for fishermen and other lake-dependent communities. Linking conservation with eco-tourism, they said, forms a key part of the broader strategy to revive both the lake’s fragile ecosystem and its economy.
The inaugural day of the capsule course was dedicated to theoretical sessions, focusing on the importance of wetlands, the ecological and hydrological significance of Wular Lake, its Ramsar status, and an overview of the Wetland (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017. Participants were also introduced to the fundamentals of bird identification and the principles of ethical and responsible birdwatching.
The event was attended by Deputy Commissioner Bandipora, Indu Kanwal Chib, who interacted with participants and emphasised the need for collective efforts to preserve Wular Lake for future generations.
Lectures were delivered by Owais Farooq Mir and Intesar Suhail, Wildlife Warden North, who elaborated on bird behaviour, plumage patterns, beak morphology, habitat preferences and best practices for observing birds without disturbing their natural environment.
Meanwhile, a day earlier, WUCMA organised a stakeholder workshop at the Mini Secretariat, Bandipora, to discuss the revision of the Comprehensive Management Action Plan (CMAP) for Wular Lake. During the workshop, officials announced that a long-pending revision of the Wular Management Plan has been initiated, updating the original 2007 framework.
According to WUCMA, the revised plan aims to address 17 major challenges confronting the lake, including solid waste accumulation, excessive siltation, unchecked growth of invasive species, encroachments and the need for stronger biodiversity protection measures.
However, concerns were raised by local fishermen who participated in the workshop. Several fishermen told Kashmir Despatch that despite claims of crores of rupees being spent on Wular’s restoration, the worsening garbage problem in the lake is severely affecting their livelihoods.
“One earlier could fish in Wular for nearly four months during winter, but this year the production has drastically declined,” said a local fisherman. “Now we are struggling to even feed our families from this work,” he added, attributing the decline to pollution and shrinking fish habitats.
The concerns underline the complex challenges facing Wular Lake, where conservation efforts, livelihood security and effective implementation of restoration plans must move forward together to ensure the wetland’s long-term survival.
