Winter woes for migratory birds eased as frozen wetlands reopen slowly

Srinagar : All major wetlands across Kashmir are now flocked with migratory birds, officials said, adding that the freezing water bodies initially posed survival challenges.
The official, however, said the improved weather conditions and light snowfall have started breaking the ice, ensuring better water access for the birds. A top official from the Wildlife’s Wetland Division said the valley wetlands were flocked with a good number of migratory birds but that the freezing of water bodies initially created difficulties, posing significant challenges for migratory birds in the region.
“Birds rely on open-water pools for survival. However, a slight improvement in weather, accompanied by light snowfall, has started breaking the ice layer, and that is gradually exposing water sources,” the top officer said.
The senior officer added that due to the icy layer in water bodies, they have started giving supplementary feeding with paddy grains to support the migratory bird population in the region.
“The situation is improving, and with the thawing of ice, the birds are flocking back to the water pools,” an official said, adding that the valley wetlands, hosting thousands of migratory birds annually, are being closely monitored and that a formal census to estimate the bird population was scheduled for February. The official, however, assured that all wetlands were currently hosting migratory bird populations.
The official said amid these efforts, they were also focusing on curbing poaching activities, a persistent challenge that has been exacerbated by the birds’ tendency to seek alternative water sources outside protected wetlands during freezing conditions. “Our anti-poaching teams are conducting regular patrolling in wetlands, and we are also creating public awareness about the legal implications of hunting migratory birds,” the official stated. “In many cases, offenders claim ignorance of the law, which highlights the need for more outreach.” The official added that they were intensifying awareness campaigns to sensitize the public about the importance of protecting these migratory birds. He said the programs are being planned to educate people, stressing the ecological and cultural sig.nificance of these avian visitors