Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Aug 7 : Minister for Forests, Ecology and Environment, Mian Altaf released a book “Threatened Birds of Jammu and Kashmir” at a function here at Kashmir University today.
The book, a collective effort of Azad R Rehman, Intesar Suhail, Punkaj Chandan, Khursheed Ahmad and Ashfaq Ahmad Zari, is first of its kind in the State and will be useful for researchers, birdwatchers and conservationists. Earlier, four books on the subject have been released at national level which including Threatened Birds of Assam in 2012, Threatened Birds of Uttrakhand in 2013, Threatened Birds of Maharashtra and Threatened Birds of UP.
The book released today is the fifth in this series containing valuable and comprehensive information about two critically endangered species, two endangered species, 11 vulnerable species and nine near threatened species reported in Jammu and Kashmir State. The book contains specific recommendations for conservation of each threatened species found in J&K and will be useful for Government agencies including Forest and Wildlife Departments.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that conservation of forests is imperative for conservation of bird species and wildlife. He said that Forest Department with active support of the people living near the forests have succeeded in protecting forest wealth while timber smuggling in the State has been brought down to zero. He said efforts started in the department at different levels for protection of forest land is yielding encouraging results.
Asking the students, scholars, scientists and teachers of wild life sciences to go through the book and enhance their understanding of the bird species of the state of J&K and the threats they face, the Minister said that the book will not only help these stakeholders but will prove highly beneficial to the Government in terms of policy planning and decision making.
Earlier, while introducing the book to the audience Asad Rehmani -Lead author of the book and Director BNHS said that 28 important bird areas have been recognized in the state of J&K and the book besides providing a food-for-thought to the policy makers, wild life officers and wildlife researchers recommends the need for species-specific plans, banning the use of diclofenac , development of bird literature in various languages of the state and the need for developing a bird-tourism policy of the state.
Dean Academic Affairs KU Prof MA Wani, Registrar KU Prof Zaffar Reishi, Principal, Chief Conservator of Forests of J&K AK Singh and AR Wani former Chief Conservator of Forests also spoke on the occasion and presented their views on the various aspects of the bio-diversity of the J&K.
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