Sajid Raina
Bandipora, Sep 22: Wular Lake, India’s largest freshwater lake, has witnessed a significant rise in migratory bird arrivals this year, with the Asian Water Bird Census 2025 registering more than three lakh birds—a fourfold increase from last year’s count of 75,000.
An official said that this is just the beginning of their arrival. By late October, the numbers are expected to rise further as more migratory birds continue to reach Wular Lake, he said.
The official said the surge reflects the success of conservation and restoration measures undertaken in recent years. “Cleaning, desilting, habitat restoration, and the installation of CCTV monitoring have greatly improved the ecological conditions of the lake, making it a more suitable environment for migratory birds,” he added.
The census data shows that the highest numbers were recorded among species such as Northern Shoveller, Mallard, and Gadwall. Other species, like Pintail and several rare migratory birds, were also spotted in large flocks. Wular Lake has become a preferred wintering ground for these birds, many of which travel thousands of kilometres from Central Asia, Europe, and Siberia.
Bird enthusiasts from across India have been flocking to Bandipora to observe the spectacle. “This year, the diversity and sheer number of birds is unlike anything we have witnessed before,” said a birder who travelled from Ganderbal to the lake.
The Wular Conservation and Management Authority (WUCMA), set up by the Jammu and Kashmir government, has played a key role in these developments. Officials said that apart from bird counts, the focus is also on ensuring sustainable livelihoods for local communities that depend on the lake.
In recent years, Wular has also recorded rare sightings, including that of the Great Bittern in November 2024, a species seldom seen in South Asia. Such sightings underline the ecological importance of the lake as a habitat for globally significant bird populations.
Wular’s revival is not limited to avian life. The return of the lotus stem, locally known as nadru, after decades, is being seen as another indicator of the improving health of the lake.
Widely used in Kashmiri cuisine, nadru is prized for its taste and delicate flavour, which locals attribute to the high-quality water and unique conditions of Wular. Its comeback has provided both ecological and economic benefits, boosting the incomes of households involved in harvesting and selling the delicacy.
Experts say that sustained conservation efforts are crucial to maintaining this trend. With bird numbers crossing three lakh this year, Wular Lake is once again emerging as a thriving ecological and cultural hub in Kashmir.
