Calendar of SKUAST-K, Kashmir Birdwatch unveiled

Srinagar, Feb 7: An event to commemorate the release of the SKUAST-Kashmir Birdwatch Calendar 2025 was organised by the Division of Wildlife Sciences, SKUAST-Kashmir, at SKUAST-Kashmir, Shalimar.

Professor (Dr.) Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Vice-Chancellor of SKUAST-Kashmir, graced the event as the Chief Guest, in the presence of university officers, the Conservator of Forests (Central Circle), Regional Wildlife Warden Kashmir Tawheed Deva IFS, Regional Wildlife Warden Headquarters (J&K) Rashid Yahya Naqash, executive members of the Kashmir Birdwatch Club Dr. Khursheed Ahmad, Tasaduq Moin, and Intesar Suhail, along with members of the club, faculty members of SKUAST-Kashmir, wildlife researchers, and budding photographers.

Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, while appreciating the efforts of Dr. Khursheed Ahmad, Head of the Division of Wildlife Sciences, and Kashmir Birdwatch towards bird conservation and showcasing regional bird diversity, stressed the need to strengthen research on bird migration patterns, especially of waterfowl visiting Kashmir’s wetlands. He emphasized the importance of continuing SKUAST-Kashmir’s pioneering 2017 research on bird migration using advanced Satellite PTTs and promoting ecotourism and birdwatching as sustainable livelihood opportunities for local unemployed youth in Jammu & Kashmir. This aligns with SKUAST-Kashmir's mission to develop a cadre of trained professionals in wildlife and ornithology and encourage entrepreneurship through skill development courses in wildlife photography, filming, and ecotourism. Prof. Ganai highlighted that the efforts of the Division of Wildlife Sciences, SKUAST-Kashmir and Kashmir Birdwatch have significantly contributed to bird conservation in Jammu & Kashmir, and that further support and collaboration with the government will ensure long-term conservation of the region’s bird diversity.

Prof. Khursheed Ahmad, one of the founding executive members of Kashmir Birdwatch and Head of the Division of Wildlife Sciences, SKUAST-Kashmir welcomed the dignitaries and participants. He noted that the 2025 calendar showcases the unique and threatened bird diversity of Jammu & Kashmir, featuring 12 rarely documented and understudied species. A major highlight of the calendar is the inclusion of a rare photograph of the highly endangered Long-billed Bush Warbler, endemic to the region. The photograph, taken in Chitral, Pakistan, is the only known image of this elusive species.

Rashid Y. Naqash and  Tawheed Deva also spoke at the event, praising the contributions of SKUAST-Kashmir’s Division of Wildlife Sciences, led by Dr. Khursheed Ahmad, and the Kashmir Birdwatch members. They highlighted the Division's role in wildlife conservation and bird censuses across the region in collaboration with global organizations such as the eBird network, the Important Bird Conservation Network (IBCN) of the Bombay Natural History Society, the Royal Society for the Preservation of Birds (RSPB) in the UK, and the Department of Wildlife Protection, Jammu & Kashmir Government.