Counting birds, measuring commitment

The Asian Waterbird Census 2026, conducted on Thursday across 27 wetlands of the Kashmir Valley, was not just about counting birds—it was about understanding the health of Kashmir’s fragile wetland ecosystems and reaffirming the region’s role in global biodiversity.
Organised by the Department of Wildlife Protection, Jammu and Kashmir, through its Wetland Division Kashmir in coordination with the Wular Conservation and Management Authority (WUCMA), the exercise was carried out simultaneously at 58 locations across north, central and south Kashmir. A day earlier, participants were given orientation and training to ensure that the census followed standard scientific methods and accurate counting protocols.
Key wetlands such as Hokersar, Shalbugh, Haigam, Wular Lake, Dal Lake, Anchar, Nigeen and Chatlam were covered during the census. These water bodies are vital stopover and wintering sites along the Central Asian Flyway, hosting thousands of migratory birds that travel every year from Siberia and Central Asia to escape harsh winters.
What made the exercise particularly encouraging was the scale of public participation. Over 350 people—including scholars and students from SKUAST-K and the University of Kashmir, college and school students from Srinagar, Ganderbal and Budgam, conservation NGOs, trained volunteers and birdwatchers—joined hands in the field, turning the census into a collective conservation effort.
Wildlife Warden of the Wetland Division, Altaf Hussain, said the census is a scientifically designed process that helps track bird populations and assess whether wetlands are providing suitable habitats for migratory and resident species. Regional Wildlife Warden Kashmir, Tawheed Ahmad Deva, noted that the final results will be known after detailed compilation and analysis of the data.
Chief Executive Director of WUCMA, Manzoor Ahmad Qadri, said the initial inputs from Wular Lake were encouraging, indicating a healthy presence of migratory birds and suggesting that ongoing restoration efforts are beginning to show positive results.
Beyond numbers and data sheets, the census sent a larger message: Kashmir’s wetlands are living ecosystems that need constant care and protection. The growing involvement of students and citizens offers hope that awareness and responsibility towards these natural habitats are slowly deepening—an essential step if these wetlands are to remain safe havens for birds in the years to come.