Emphasis on Traditional Knowledge and Community Stewardship
SRINAGAR: World Wetlands Day 2026 was observed at the globally renowned Hokersar Wetland, one of Jammu and Kashmir’s most important Ramsar Sites, with deep ecological reflection and renewed collective resolve to protect wetlands as living ecosystems and cultural heritage.
The event was held amid winter light, expansive reed beds, and the seasonal presence of thousands of migratory birds, transforming Hokersar into a platform for dialogue linking science, culture, memory, and community.
The global theme for the year, “Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Cultural Heritage,” resonated strongly with Kashmir’s ecological realities.
The programme began with a formal welcome address by Altaf Hussain, Wildlife Warden Wetlands Division, who welcomed participants from diverse sectors, including NGO representatives, local community members, bird photographers, students, researchers, eco-guide trainees, and officials of the Wildlife Department.
Highlighting Hokersar’s ecological importance, he underscored its role as a critical wintering ground for migratory birds, a natural flood buffer for Srinagar, and a repository of rich biodiversity. He stressed that enforcement alone cannot ensure conservation and called for community participation, research collaboration, and awareness-based approaches, particularly as wetlands face growing pressure from urbanisation, pollution, and climate change.
Veteran environmentalist Nazir Benazir recalled a time when Srinagar’s lakes, marshes, canals, and springs were integral to daily life. He warned that the loss of wetlands represents not only an ecological crisis, but also the erosion of cultural memory, livelihoods, and historical continuity.
Dr. Shaikh Ghulam Rasool, Co-Founder of the School for Rural Development and Environment (SRDE) and Chairperson of the J&K RTI Movement Emphasised that wetlands are not merely ecological units, but living cultural landscapes, sustained over generations through indigenous wisdom, customary practices, and community stewardship. The programme reinforced the understanding that conservation succeeds when people are recognised as custodians rather than excluded as intruders.
Tracing the evolution of wetland conservation from the 1972 Ramsar Convention, Dr. Shaikh stated that global policy has ultimately acknowledged a fundamental truth: “Wetlands cannot be conserved without traditional knowledge and community participation.” Recalling Hokersar from over three decades ago, he described it as a once-pristine wetland that sustained communities through fishing, fodder, aquatic vegetables, and medicinal plants.
He emphasised that Hokersar’s Ramsar status is rooted not only in its biodiversity and migratory birds, but also in its historic role in flood regulation, agriculture, and food security. He strongly advocated for recognition of customary rights and participatory governance, cautioning that exclusionary conservation models ultimately fail both people and ecosystems.
Addressing misconceptions around agriculture, Dr. Shaikh clarified that traditional paddy farming supports wetland ecology, as post-harvest residue provides vital feed for migratory birds.
Highlighting the Nature Tourism and Eco-Guide initiative, jointly conceptualised by SRDE and the Nature Conservancy Alliance (NCA), he noted that the presence of trained eco-guides at Hokersar on World Wetlands Day demonstrated how people-centred ideas can translate into institutional practice.
The programme also highlighted the work of SRDE as a leading environmental think tank that has documented 48 wetlands across Jammu and Kashmir, including several unnotified wetlands of significant ecological and livelihood value. The presence of Prof. Bilal Bhat, President of SRDE, added academic and policy depth to the event. The role of the Nature Conservancy Alliance (NCA)—a collective platform of 72 organisations working on nature conservation and climate justice—was acknowledged as a vital force in regional environmental advocacy.
Moderated by noted wildlife researcher & Conservationist Aquib Hussian Pal, the event saw participation from representatives of the, “School For Rural Development and Environment-SRDE” represented by Prof Dr. Billal Ahmed Bhat, Wildlife Conservation Fund (WCF), Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), Himalayan Brown Bear Trust, Wildlife SOS (represented by Aliya Mir, prominent wetland conservationist Rahi Reyaz, along with local communities, NGOs, bird photographers, and wildlife enthusiasts.
During the concluding interactions, Altaf Hussain, Nazir Benazir, and Aquib Hussian publicly acknowledged Dr. Shaikh Ghulam Rasool’s pioneering contributions to community-led conservation, particularly his work in Tosamaidan & Wullar and his consistent advocacy for transparency, participation, and people-centred ecological governance.
World Wetlands Day 2026 at Hokersar concluded as more than a commemorative observance. Participants collectively reaffirmed that wetlands are living heritage, and that their future depends on restoring the relationship between nature, people, knowledge, and institutions, with communities empowered as the primary stewards of their ecological commons.