Srinagar: The fourth edition of the J&K Bird Festival began today, bringing together birders, wildlife photographers, students, tourists and conservationists for a five-day celebration of the Valley’s rich wetland biodiversity.
The festival is being held across key wetlands of Kashmir, with Pampore emerging as the focal point of this year’s edition. The inaugural event is taking place at the International Saffron Centre, followed by birding activities at the nearby Chatlam Wetland Reserve, which currently hosts around 15,000 migratory birds.
“We have been working to promote Pampore as Jammu and Kashmir’s first sustainable tourism destination. It is an integrated initiative linking wetlands, fossil parks, saffron cultivation and eco-tourism,” said Nadeem Qadri, Chief Executive Director of the Wildlife Conservation Fund and chief organiser of the festival.
Over the next five days, the festival will feature bird walks, trekking, debates, film screenings, plantation drives, art competitions and photo exhibitions at wetlands including Chatlam, Hokersar and Manasbal. Trekking activities are scheduled at the Badtalaw forests in the Khrerw Conservation Reserve, while the festival will conclude at Dachigam National Park on December 31.
Nearly 100 participants, including bird enthusiasts, students, forest officials and wildlife experts, are taking part in the opening events.
Qadri said the festival also aims to engage young nature enthusiasts ahead of the annual Asian Waterbird Census held in January. “We want young people to celebrate nature, observe birds and possibly spot unique species during the festival,” he said.
Kashmir has nearly 400 water bodies, with about 25 serving as winter habitats for migratory birds. Species such as White-fronted Goose, Whooper Swan, Tundra Swan, Mallards, Shovelers and several waders arrive in large numbers every year.
Jammu and Kashmir has notified over 4,861 sq km as Protected Area Network, comprising national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and conservation reserves. With Hygam and Shallbugh added in 2022, the Valley now has four Ramsar sites.