The BBC reports that according to data compiled by the Zoological Society of London, between a quarter and a third of the world's wildlife has been lost since 1970. Ironically this is one international trend that Kashmir would seem be up-to-date with, if only we knew for sure what species existed before they were lost forever. There is no definitive list of the wildife of Kashmir. As far as birds are concerned, Bates & Lowther did a phenomenal job with their "Breeding Birds of Kashmir' but that opus is now somewhat dated. No similar work has been published with respect to wildlife in its entirety. As an individual effort, I have tried to compile and publish data gleaned from various sources on the Birds of Kashmir and Wildlife of Kashmir websites, but surely the official agencies of the government with their infinite resources can do a more thorough job. If only they could spare the time.



Meanwhile there is news of fresh trouble for wildlife:
Extended Amarnath yatra poses threat to wild animals
Wildlife populations 'plummeting'

This comment deserves its very own entry:

My dear friend,

We are eagerly waiting for the time when there will be only a couple of hanguls. We shall make make money on the "Emergency Preservation of Hangul", "Photo Exhibition of Hangul", "Museum Specimens of Hangul", "Hangul Extinction-A great Loss to Asia" etc. In any case, we will benefit. If a full fledged Department to wail the death of Hangul is created, won't it be excellent?. We must be happy.

As for the Hangul, to hell with it. We will be gratetful to any one that sends us 'FUNDS' for 'PRESERVATION' of animals, natural resources, culture-----any thing. Don't you see how much have we EARNED from Dal. We are thankful to God for the ever worsening condition of the Dal. Only one prayer is there; that it should not vanish completely at least till every one of us becomes a CROREPATI (millionaire).

Yasin Bhat (yasinbhatkashmir<at>gmail.com)

News Update:
Rare Kashmiri deer on verge of extinction - census report
Captive breeding to save Kashmir's rare red deer

According to a news report in a leading local daily, Kashmir's brave policemen have saved innocent villagers from the most feared of all himalayan predators - the Musk Deer. Apparently the deer could have used its soulful brown eyes to lure people into its cunningly laid trap of death by an overdose of cuteness. This report, attributed to a leading news agency, would well be worth a laugh but for the realisation that in Kashmir even forest officials, policemen, and news reporters and their editors are absolutely clueless when it comes to wildlife.

The second news report mentions that the "Wildlife Department has directed people living in villages adjacent to forests to remain cautious against the movement of wild animals" - all wild animals, and not just bears and leopards who are the only large predators in the valley. In an earlier entry this blog had warned of the risk that due to the increased contact between humans and predators, all wildlife was at risk of being mercilessly killed on sight unless awareness campaigns were started for the concerned agencies and the general public.

From the news report:

A musk deer, who had come down from the forest following heavy snowfall recently, was captured by police in the outskirts of the city early this morning, official sources said......
Later, the captured musk deer was handed over to wildlife authorities at Dachigam.
This was for the second time, any wild animal was caught before attacking people in the Valley.
......


Update: An example of wildlife management in Kashmir:
Leopards death sparks protest


News Links:
Musk deer captured
You may have to scroll down to the 8th news item for the musk deer story.
Leopard captured in Islamabad

Image courtesy Wikipedia Commons

This weekend I recorded the 150th bird species I have personally observed in Kashmir. This checklist is based on birds I have observed in the valley and positively identified. The list includes some rarities like the Kashmir Nuthatch, Isabelline Wheatear and Chaffinch.

If there is any element of doubt regarding the identification the sightings have not been included in this list. AFAIK this is the most comprehensive list of confirmed bird sightings in Kashmir.


The Birds of Kashmir Checklist

Another reason to celebrate the festive season.


Image copyright Dr. Bakshi Jehangir. All rights reserved.

Record numbers of migratory waterfowl have been sighted in Kashmir's wetlands this year. On Christmas Day, I observed a multitude of migratory ducks like mallards, teals, shovellers, gadwalls, pochards, etc and a few flocks of Greylag Geese and Ruddy Shelducks at the Hokersar sanctuary. The highlight of the trip were the endangered Pallas's Fishing Eagles soaring majestically in the sky.

Efforts being made to improve Hokarsar are immediately noticeable. Leaky, dilapidated boats have been converted into smart houseboats, observation platforms have been repaired and new ones added, pools cleared and flagged. I had the chance to interact with Dr. Mir Mansoor, the Chief Wildlife Biologist who was monitoring the wetland for evidence of Bird Flu. We had a very interesting discussion on a variety of topics related to wildlife and Kashmir's fragile ecology. Clearly he and Kashmir's Wildlife Warden, Abdul Rauf Zargar take their responsibilities very seriously. More power to them.


P.S: Who gave permission for a housing colony on the highway adjoining Hokersar? The Hokersar Sanctuary is rapidly being degraded for a number of reasons [mostly human-created and ultimately solvable] and might not last in its present form for very long. This fresh assault may be the final nail in its coffin.



News Links:
6 lakh avian guests arrive in valley

Incessant silt deposition poses major threat to Hokersar