Every year, World Migratory Bird Day is observed on May 13, when birders from around the world come together to enjoy birding. It is actually an awareness programme aimed at highlighting the need for migratory bird conservation as well as their habitats. A lot of people in Kashmir take part in this event in the form of bird watching. Birding, or “bird watching,” is the activity of studying and observing birds in their natural environments. It’s a hobby that it’s estimated millions of people all over the world share and has been for centuries. Binoculars, field guides, and meticulous notes help bird watchers identify and catalogue the many species they encounter. Anyone, regardless of age or expertise, can enjoy the hobby of bird watching in any number of locations, including urban parks, woodlands, wetlands, and coastal areas. This hobby not only helps people unwind and relax but also aids in conservation efforts for birds by yielding useful information about their numbers and where they live.
When it comes to Kashmir, the region has witnessed a huge boom in the number of bird watchers during the post-Covid-19 lockdown. Since the people were off work and confined to their houses, the concept of balcony birding flourished. Many people started birding and observing birds around their houses. With the topography of Kashmir, where most people live in rural areas or around mountains, it was easier for people to go birding. This served as a means of enjoyment that would take the boredom and stress of lockdown away.
With the rise of birders in Kashmir, a problem came along. Not every birder knows anything about the birdwatching ethics that should be followed.
Bird watching is an activity that many people enjoy, but why does it matter to practice ethics in bird watching? In this study, we’ll explore the importance of ethics in bird watching and why it is so important for birders to follow the ethical guidelines set by the community – starting with the question, why birding around the globe is so important and how many bird species are there in Jammu and Kashmir, including Ladakh.
Bird Watching Around the World
Bird watching is a very popular hobby all around the world. From the rugged wilderness of Alaska to the lush rainforests of South America, birdwatching enthusiasts can be found in nearly every corner of the globe. A recent report indicates that there are around 45 million bird watchers around the world, out of which 39 million are balcony birders. The rest 16 million are active birders who mostly go for birding away from their homes. These people travel hundreds of kilometres to have a glimpse of their favourite bird.
Birdwatching is a multi-million dollar industry and a widely practised hobby in the United States. The United Kingdom (and other European countries) are popular destinations for bird watchers who travel to the continent to see birds like the secretive nightjars and the brilliantly coloured kingfishers. The Camargue region in southern France is known for its extensive wetlands, making it a favourite location for birdwatchers. There are several species of birds that can only be found in Africa and nowhere else.
The Amazon rainforest in South America is a birder’s heaven because it is home to hundreds of species that can’t be found anywhere else on the planet. Costa Rica’s dense forests are home to the strikingly gorgeous quetzal bird, while the Galapagos Islands harbour numerous endemic species, including the blue-footed booby and the flightless cormorant.
The Himalayas are also a fantastic area for birdwatchers. Kashmir, located in the western Himalayas, is home to a number of avian species that can be found nowhere else on Earth, including the spectacled finch and the orange bullfinch.
Almost anywhere in the world, you may find a group of birdwatchers to join. Bird watching is a truly international hobby because it combines elements of exploration of the natural world, scientific study, and quiet reflection.
Bird Diversity of Jammu & Kashmir
Due in part to its unique topography and temperature, the Indian state of Jammu & Kashmir is home to a vast diversity of bird species. The region has a vast diversity of habitats for birds, from the icy Himalayas to the humid Kashmir Valley.
In Jammu and Kashmir, including Ladakh, a total of 677 bird species exist as per a preprint study on Research Square. In terms of the number of birds, the Jammu region is more diverse, with around a total of 480 bird species found there. Similarly, the Kashmir region has a total of 418 bird species, while the Ladakh region has 414 bird species. Most of these bird species are present in all three regions and overlap in their habitat.
Some of the most iconic bird species found in Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh include the Himalayan monal, a stunningly beautiful bird with iridescent feathers, and the black-necked crane, a rare and endangered species that breeds in the high-altitude wetlands of the region, the Kashmir flycatcher which only breeds in the mountains of Kashmir valley. Other notable species include the western tragopan, a colourful pheasant found in the forests of the Pir Panjal range.
In addition to these iconic species, Jammu & Kashmir is also home to a number of migratory birds that visit the region during the winter months. These include species such as the greylag goose, northern shoveler, northern pintail, mallard, Eurasian wigeon, bar-headed goose, and the common teal, all of which can be seen in wetlands and other habitats throughout the state.
Why Does Ethics in Bird Watching Matter?
As with any interest in or interaction with animals, birdwatchers have a need to behave responsibly and with due regard for the natural environment. When birdwatchers follow ethical guidelines, they reduce the risk of unintentionally contributing to the extinction of bird species and the distress of the birds they are watching.
Avoiding disturbing nesting birds is a crucial ethical consideration when birdwatching. If you get too close to a nest or make a lot of noise, the birds can get scared and fly away, or the chicks might die. Similarly, birdwatchers should stay away from flocks of birds that are roosting or feeding, as doing so can interrupt the birds’ normal habits and stress them out.
Another important factor is the moral responsibility of protecting birds and their habitat. This includes not trampling plants, not disturbing nesting sites or feeding areas, and not destroying the habitat in any other way. Furthermore, bird watchers should never attempt to lure birds to an area by disrupting their normal activities, such as by tossing food.
Finally, bird watchers should always put the birds’ safety first. This includes staying away from predatory birds or disturbing birds in flight, both of which could be dangerous to the birds. It also involves taking measures to lessen the negative effects that bird watching might have on the ecosystem.
Ethical considerations in birding are important because they help ensure that the hobby will be around for future generations. Birdwatchers may play an important role in conserving the birds they care about and the ecosystems in which they exist if they adhere to ethical rules and best practices.
Are Birders in Kashmir Following Ethics?
With the rise of birders in Jammu & Kashmir, there is a strong need for following ethics. Not every birder is clear about ethical knowledge as far as birding is concerned. To get clear pictures of different bird species, the birders in Jammu and Kashmir or in any part of the world do not hesitate to disturb the bird. Birders get too close to shy birders, which affects their feeding and breeding. During the breeding season, the birds are highly sensitive, but to get photographs or pictures, birders keep on disturbing the birds.
We should remember that birding is not all about photography. If you take photography out of bird watching, most birders will stop birding. Although binoculars and cameras are a great addition to birding equipment, it does not mean that birding is all about photography. To get the most out of birding and enjoy it, we should really try observing birds with our eyes rather than taking recorded pictures to show to the world. Unfortunately, many birders in Kashmir have misunderstood the real meaning of birding and its purpose.
Similarly, many birders play bird calls on their phones to attract birds. This is, again, strictly unethical, as you are deceiving a bird. Birds use calls to contact each other at times of threat, food, or nesting. However, the use of bird calls disrupts that natural phenomenon, which, again, all the birders do not understand. To earn more money by working as a bird guide, some birders prefer using calls to attract birds out of trees or bushes and disturb them.
The Impact of Unethical Bird Watching
While ethical bird watching can have positive effects on bird populations and their habitats, irresponsible bird watching can have disastrous effects on our feathered friends and the natural world they rely on. Disturbing breeding or feeding birds, leading birds to abandon their young or flee their habitats, and aiding the spread of invasive species are all major consequences of unethical bird watching.
One of the most common forms of unethical bird watching is disturbing nesting or feeding birds, which can have devastating effects on bird populations. Birds may cease eating or caring for their young if they are disturbed by constant human interference. The local bird population may suffer as a result of nest abandonment or chick death.
Another way in which unethical birdwatching can lead to the displacement of birds from their natural habitats is through the taking of unwanted photos. When birds are trying to raise chicks, any kind of disruption can be devastating. Birds face long-term threats to their survival when they are forced to abandon their natural habitats because they may be unable to locate adequate food, shelter, or nesting grounds elsewhere.
Last but not least, irresponsible birdwatching can aid in the propagation of exotic species. There is a risk of introducing invasive species into natural areas when birdwatchers carry food or other goods into these areas. Because of this, vital ecosystem services may be compromised, and avian diversity may suffer.
Unethical bird viewing can have serious and far-reaching consequences. Bird watchers may help preserve the hobby for future generations by being conscientious of their impact on the environment and the species they enjoy.
Role in Conservation
On this World Migratory Bird Day, we all must vow to come together to conserve birds. By raising public awareness and educating people about the significance of safeguarding birds and their habitats, ethical bird watching can contribute to bird conservation. Ethical bird watchers can help educate others about the need to protect birds and their habitats by sharing their own experiences and insights with them. This may inspire people to take action to safeguard birds by making them more aware of the dangers they face.
Scientific and conservation efforts can benefit from the information gathered through ethical bird watching. Researchers are finding that citizen science projects, including those in which bird watchers report sightings and other observations, are becoming increasingly popular and useful. Trends in bird populations, changes in bird behaviour, and vulnerable locations can all be better understood using this data.
Ethical bird watching also encourages eco-tourism, which can support local economies while protecting both birds and their habitats. Birdwatchers can help mitigate tourism’s negative effects on bird habitats and advance sustainable travel by modelling and supporting ethical behaviour and responsible tourism practices.
Call To Action: Promoting Ethical Birding Practices in Kashmir?
Birdwatchers from all over the world visit Kashmir because of the region’s abundance of wildlife. However, if it is not practised in an ethical manner, bird watching in Kashmir can have a harmful effect on the local ecosystem and its bird population. Raising awareness is needed to encourage responsible birdwatching in Kashmir in order to safeguard the region’s avian inhabitants and their natural habitats. Moreover, instead of focusing on celebrating World Migratory Bird Day, birders should observe its significance.
Educating the public on the consequences of irresponsible bird watching is a crucial first step in encouraging ethical birding habits in Kashmir. This can be accomplished through community and school-based awareness and education initiatives. The campaign’s goals should include raising awareness of the role birds to play in ecosystems, the harm that unethical bird watching may cause to birds and their habitats, and the rewards that come from taking the time to observe birds in a responsible manner.
The establishment of rules and regulations for bird watching by tourists is another crucial step. Do’s and don’ts of bird watching, such as not disturbing the birds, not taking their nests, eggs, or feathers, and respecting local culture, should be outlined in these rules and regulations.
Promoting responsible birdwatching in Kashmir requires the active participation of local populations. Workshops, seminars, and other educational events can help achieve this goal. The local community can be mobilised to take part in bird watching and act as advocates for responsible birding.
Last but not least, birding tour providers and guides may play an important role in encouraging responsible birdwatching in Kashmir. They can inform others of the rules and norms for bird watching and urge responsible behaviour. This is very important for the overall conservation of birds and their habitats.
References
https://www.10000birds.com/how-many-birders-are-there-really-updated.htm
https://vtfishandwildlife.com/watch-wildlife/bird-watching/birding-ethics
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