Baramulla: A daylong visit to Haigham Wetland by the Environmental Policy Group (EPG) has cast serious doubt on recent claims by the Wildlife Department about an influx of migratory birds in Kashmir’s wetlands.
During their November 1 visit, EPG members found the Haigham Wetland, historically a rich bird habitat and once a prized game reserve, to be barren, parched, and notably devoid of migratory bird activity.
The EPG team, comprising Governing Council Members Er. Ajaz Rasool, Advocate Shafqat Nazir, Dr. Tauseef Bhat, Faiz Bakshi, Ajaz Ahmad Dar, along with civil society members Munshi Rafiq Ahmad and Irfan Ahmad Bhat, conducted a thorough inspection of the area. Despite extensive efforts to survey the wetland, they reported a complete absence of birds and water in the ecosystem.
“This was a shocking experience,” said Faiz Bakshi, EPG’s Convenor. “We drove miles across what used to be a vibrant wetland, only to find it dry and deserted.” The team captured video footage and photos to document their findings, with images showing Haigham’s terrain as cracked and arid, starkly contrasting the Wildlife Department’s reports of abundant bird life.
The visit aimed to assess the credibility of official reports, which claimed that tens of thousands of migratory birds had arrived in Kashmir’s wetlands this season. EPG’s findings, however, point to severe environmental degradation and a critical lack of water resources at Haigham, making it an uninhabitable space for migratory birds.
Videos and photos from the visit will be shared among EPG members and supporters, enabling them to draw informed conclusions about the ground reality. EPG members are calling for urgent measures to restore Haigham’s ecology and for transparency in wildlife reporting to reflect the true state of Kashmir’s wetlands.
