Srinagar, Oct 28: As migratory birds prepare to arrive in valley wetlands, the department of wildlife has increased preventive anti-poaching measures this year by establishing a 24X7 joint control room, and roping in local volunteers living near the banks of wetlands of the valley, said an official on Friday.
Rashid Naqash, Regional Wildlife Warden Kashmir told Rising Kashmir that this year they have placed a robust mechanism to curb poaching incidents and that they have jointly framed a task force by incorporating officials from Forest Protection Force and from Forest Department.
“Apart from augmenting the patrolling squad, we have also roped in local volunteers living near the banks of wetlands as they have volunteered to extend their support to curb poaching incidents if any by informing us. We have augmented the manpower and for that officials from Forest Protection Force and from Forest Department are extending their support, he said.
Although Naqash said that their wetland borders were secure for migratory birds, he added that beyond these lines, poachers often exploit the situation because migrating birds occasionally try to settle in non-wetland areas.
“A positive sense is prevailing, and people recognize the importance of these migrating guest birds,” he said. However, sporadic incidences of poaching have been detected, as these poachers place duck decoys to entice these migratory birds outside the wetland bounds, and we have confiscated several of them”, he said.
He continued by saying that since a strong anti-poaching system was put in place for the protection of migrating birds, the number of poaching events has decreased significantly over time.
The Jammu and Kashmir Department of Wildlife Protection states that it was established in 1978 to carry out the Jammu and Kashmir Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1978, which provided protection for the state’s protected areas and wildlife as well as flora and fauna.
The Jammu & Kashmir Government has implemented a number of conservation-related policies since the Department of Wildlife Protection was established in 1982. The J&K Government has designated 4861.28 sq km as part of the Protected Area Network, which includes 30 Conservation / Wetland Reserves, 14 Wildlife Sanctuaries, and 4 National Parks. These sites undergo a variety of management practices, including habitat improvement, plantation, soil and water conservation, fire protection, anti-poaching operations, and development.
Over time, the Wildlife Department has prioritized the management and conservation of wildlife and their habitats in accordance with current regulations. In 2002, the J&K Wildlife (Protection) Act was revised along the lines of the National Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.
