Srinagar, February 2: The Department of Wildlife Protection, Jammu & Kashmir, through the Wetland Division Kashmir, Monday commemorated World Wetlands Day 2026 at the world famous Hokersar Wetland, one of the most important Ramsar sites in the Kashmir Valley. The programme marked a significant step towards participatory wetland conservation by combining awareness, community engagement, and the launch of a livelihood-oriented birdwatcher guide training initiative.
World Wetlands Day is observed every year on February 2 to commemorate the signing of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in 1971. Celebrated globally since 1997, the day underscores the ecological, hydrological, and socio-economic importance of wetlands. The theme for World Wetlands Day 2026 emphasizes community participation and the integration of traditional knowledge in wetland conservation, which was strongly reflected in today’s programme.
The event witnessed wide participation from diverse sections of society. It was attended by the Wildlife Warden, Wetland Division Kashmir; the Wildlife Warden, North Division; officials of the Department of Wildlife Protection and forest protection Force; local communities; birdwatchers; students; volunteers; members of civil society; and representatives of several national and regional non-governmental organisations.
Prominent organisations present included Wildlife SOS, SRDE, Wildlife Conservation Fund (WCF), Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), Ahsaan Foundation, and the National Society for Protection of Water Resources, Wetlands and Forests. Representatives from various print and electronic media houses were also present.
The program was structured into two major segments. The first segment focused on awareness and sensitisation regarding the importance of wetlands, their role in biodiversity conservation, climate regulation, flood moderation, and livelihood support. Emphasis was laid on the collective responsibility of students, local communities, civil society, NGOs, and government departments in conserving wetlands. A conservation pledge was administered, reaffirming commitment in accordance with the Ramsar Convention and the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
Special attention was given to Hokersar Wetland, which was designated as a Ramsar site in 2005. The department highlighted ongoing conservation and restoration initiatives, including scientific desiltation, soil-base management, restoration of natural feeding channels, and habitat improvement measures aimed at sustaining migratory and resident bird populations.
A major highlight of the programme was the formal launch of a Birdwatcher Guide Training Programme, marking the beginning of a structured series of modular training sessions. The first module introduced participants to the fundamentals of birdwatching, key components of the activity, and the ethics of responsible birdwatching. The training programme will be followed by five additional modules, and participants who successfully complete the course will be awarded certificates of recognition. The initiative aims to develop trained eco-guides from among students and local youth, thereby linking conservation awareness with sustainable livelihood generation.
Speaking on the occasion, the Wildlife Warden, Wetland Division Kashmir, emphasized that wetlands are highly sensitive and complex ecosystems and that their conservation cannot be achieved by the department alone. He stressed the need for coordinated efforts across communities, civil society, expert organisations, and strong inter-departmental collaboration to ensure long-term wetland conservation. He also formally announced the launch of the series of birdwatcher guide training programmes as an important step towards inclusive conservation.
The technical sessions of the programme were conducted by key resource persons, including Suhail Intisar, Wildlife Warden, North Division; Rayan Sofi, a prominent birdwatcher; and Akib, a wildlife researcher.
Nazir Benazir, Chairman of the National Society for Protection of Water Resources, Wetlands and Forests, and Dr. Ghulam Rasool, Co-founder of SRDE and Chairman of the J&K RTI Movement, also addressed the gathering. They highlighted the challenges faced by wetlands and called for an integrated, science-based, and community-centric approach to conservation.
The program was widely appreciated by participants for its holistic approach, integrating awareness, skill development, youth engagement, and livelihood generation. The Wetland Division Kashmir, Department of Wildlife Protection, reaffirmed its commitment to continue such initiatives, emphasizing that effective wetland conservation requires shared responsibility and active participation from all sections of society.
