Two days Shallabugh Bird festival commences to raise awareness of Bird & Wetland conservation

DC Ganderbal throws Shallabugh Fest-2023 open; assures help & support in showcasing the unique biodiversity of the wetland

GANDERBAL, FEBRUARY 13: The Department of Wildlife Protection, Jammu & Kashmir Govt. (Wetlands Division, Kashmir) and the District Administration Ganderbal in joint collaboration with SKUAST-Kashmir and Kashmir Birdwatch is organizing two days Shallabugh Bird festival from 13th to 14th of February 2023.

The Inaugural function of the fest was organized today at the Conference Hall of Mini Secretariat, here.

Shyambir Singh, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Ganderbal was the Chief Guest on the occasion.

While throwing the Shallabugh Fest-2023 open, the DC Ganderbal stressed upon the need that such events need to be taken along on a sustained basis. He applauded the role of the civil societies, local communities and the NGOs in the field of Wetland Conservation and appealed to them to take active part in the conservation and restoration process of the Shallabugh Wetland Reserve.

In his address the chief guest expressed his willingness to render all the help and support in showcasing the unique biodiversity of the wetland. He assured the participants that the best of the Wildlife Photographers during the fest period shall be felicitated by the district administration.

Rashid Yahya Naqash, Regional Wildlife Warden, Kashmir Region, said that the aim to celebrate the Shallabugh Bird festival is to raise awareness of bird and wetland conservation and also nurture an interest in young wildlife enthusiasts to learn and love migratory/resident birds and their habitat.

He informed the gathering that the Shallabugh has been recently declared as Ramsar Site, a wetland of international importance. The wetland is home to a wide variety of birds, and the festival is an opportunity to recognize their significance and raise awareness about the importance of preserving their habitat.

Day two shall start with guided birding at Shallabugh wetland, and later a local meet of the fringe communities shall be organised at Shallabugh, Naqash said.

PowerPoint presentations were presented by Intesar Suhail Wildlife Warden Shopian and the executive member of Kashmir Birdwatch and Dr.Khursheed Ahmad Head Department of Wildlife Science SKUAST-K regarding historical perspective of Bird watching in Kashmir and the Potential of the Bird Tourism in Kashmir wetlands.

Large number of participants from Kashmir Birdwatch, Students from Degree College Ganderbal, District officers of Ganderbal District, NGOs attended the inaugural function.

On the occasion, the Chief Guest also felicitated many wildlife Photographers, NGOs and Researchers.

At the end of the programme, Ifshan Dewan, Wildlife Warden, Wetlands Division, Kashmir, Srinagar appealed to all the participants to come forward and join hands with the department for protection and conservation of Shallabugh Wetland Conservation Reserve.