Wular Lake Sees Migratory Bird Boom: 3 Lakh Counted This Year

2025-09-22 03:13:44

(MENAFN- Kashmir Observer)
Representational Photo

Srinagar- 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 recording over three lakh birds, a fourfold increase from last year's count of 75,000, officials said on Monday.

Authorities expect numbers to rise further by late October as more migratory birds continue to reach the lake. Officials attributed the surge to conservation and restoration measures, including cleaning, desilting, habitat restoration, and CCTV monitoring, which have improved the lake's ecological conditions.

The census showed large populations of Northern Shoveller, Mallard, Gadwall, Pintail, and other rare migratory species. Wular has once again become a preferred wintering ground for birds traveling thousands of kilometres from Central Asia, Europe, and Siberia.

Bird enthusiasts from across India have flocked to Bandipora to witness the spectacle.“This year, the diversity and sheer number of birds is unlike anything we have seen before,” said a birder from Ganderbal.

Officials also highlighted the return of lotus stems (nadru) after decades, marking ecological revival and providing economic benefits for local households dependent on harvesting the delicacy.

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