Wildlife Week: J&K Wildlife Department Asks Birdwatchers Not to Share Exact Locations of Migratory Birds

Srinagar, Oct 2: KNT: As Wildlife Week begins and the migratory bird season approaches, the Jammu and Kashmir Wildlife Protection Department has urged birdwatchers, wildlife photographers and visitors to avoid sharing exact locations, GPS coordinates and other identifiable details of migratory bird congregations on social media.

The advisory was issued by the Office of the Range Officer, Lakes Range Hokersar, Wetlands Division, Srinagar, amid expectations of large congregations of migratory and resident birds across Kashmir’s wetland habitats.

The department said responsible wildlife photography and social-media posts can help create awareness about Kashmir’s avian diversity and the ecological importance of wetlands. However, it cautioned that publicly available location information could inadvertently expose vulnerable bird concentrations and sensitive habitats to poachers, hunters and others involved in illegal wildlife activities.

The advisory comes as Kashmir’s wetlands prepare for the seasonal arrival of migratory birds, which use the region’s wetland network as feeding and resting grounds during their seasonal movements.

The department has appealed to visitors and wildlife enthusiasts to exercise caution while documenting and sharing sightings, particularly where posts could reveal the precise location of large bird congregations.

The warning highlights the growing importance of responsible wildlife tourism and photography, particularly at sensitive wetland habitats where increased public attention can help conservation but unrestricted location-sharing may also create risks.

Wildlife Week is being observed from Oct 2 to Oct 8, providing an opportunity to raise awareness about the protection of wildlife and habitats, including Kashmir’s internationally important wetlands and their seasonal bird populations. [KNT]

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