The Department of Wildlife Protection (Wetlands Division Kashmir) celebrated World Wetland Day (WWD-2023) on 2nd February, 2023 at three Ramsar sites under the administrative control of the Wildlife Protection Department in Kashmir valley viz. Hokersar, Shalabugh and Hygam Wetland Conservation Reserves on the theme ‘Wetland Restoration’.
To commemorate the event, a grand function was organized that started with a Flag Hoisting ceremony by a contingent of Forest Protection Force Officials at Camping Ground ‘Hokersar Wetland Conservation Reserve’.
Additional Commissioner Kashmir, Qazi Sarwar unfurled the National Flag in presence of Rashid Yahya Nagash, Regional Wildlife Warden, Kashmir Region Srinagar and Ab. Rouf Zargar, Dy. Conservator of Forest/Wildlife.
Ifshan Dewan, Wildlife Warden, Wetlands Division Kashmir; M Maqbool Baba, Wildlife Warden, North Kashmir Division; Nazir Benazir, Chairman National Society for protection of Water resources, Forest & Wetlands; Rahi Reyaz vice chairman (NSPWR), Chairperson, Wildlife Research and Conservation foundation, Wildlife SOS, Wildlife Mitras, students of various nearby schools/colleges and various officers and officials of the department were also present on the occasion.
The Speakers highlighted the need to prioritize efforts for wetland restoration and to invest financial, human and political capital to save the wetlands from disappearing.
Regional Wildlife Warden, Kashmir Region, Srinagar appealed to all the stakeholders to join hands with the Department of Wildlife Protection (Wetlands Division Kashmir) for conserving our wetlands and efforts to restore and manage these wetlands.
Different activities like National Flag hoisting, wetland pledge, painting/slogan/essay writing competitions were organized during the event.
