Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Feb 2: The Department of Wildlife Protection today marked World Wetlands Day at the Hokersar Wetland, one of the Kashmir Valley’s most important Ramsar sites, on the outskirts of Srinagar, with the launch of a birdwatcher guide training programme.
A spokesperson said the event, organised through the Wetland Division Kashmir, aimed to promote participatory wetland conservation by combining public awareness, community engagement and the launch of a livelihood-oriented birdwatcher guide training programme. A key highlight, he said, was the launch of the Birdwatcher Guide Training Programme, which began with an introductory module on birdwatching fundamentals and ethics.
According to the spokesperson, the event saw wide participation, including wildlife wardens from the Wetland Division Kashmir and North Division, officials of the Department of Wildlife Protection and the Forest Protection Force, local community members, birdwatchers, students, volunteers, civil society members, and representatives of several national and regional non-governmental organisations.
The spokesperson said the programme was held in two segments. The first focused on raising awareness about the role of wetlands in biodiversity conservation, climate regulation, flood moderation and livelihood support, while emphasising the collective responsibility of communities, students, civil society, NGOs and Government departments in their protection. A conservation pledge in line with the Ramsar Convention and the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, was also administered.
He added that special focus was placed on Hokersar Wetland, designated a Ramsar site in 2005, with the department outlining ongoing conservation measures such as scientific desiltation, soil-based management, restoration of natural feeding channels, and habitat improvement to support migratory and resident birds.
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