As Kashmir Conflict Eases, Geese, Ducks, Other Migratory Species Return To Fragile Marshlands

[hatrack]

HOKERSAR LAKE, India - The honking of wild geese and the cackle of mallards have returned to Kashmir, with migratory birds back in the Himalayan region after a fall in separatist violence.

Wildlife officials say more than 1.5 million migratory birds, and at least 19 different species, flew down to Kashmir's renewed wetlands and swamps this winter from Siberia, Central Asia and northern Europe. That is a record since the insurgency broke out against Indian rule in 1989, they say, and many times higher than the number of visitors at the peak of violence in the 1990s, when the first survey was conducted.

For years lakes gathered silt and weeds, with officials either too scared to venture out to maintain them or simply not interested. Militants used to hide in the wetlands or pass through, while security forces would patrol there. But with violence falling since India and Pakistan began a peace process in 2004 over the disputed territory, the lakes and wetlands have been cleaned and people kept away.

"The insurgency brought lawlessness, all troubles along with it, even to these poor birds," said Abdul Rauf Zargar, the wildlife warden of Kashmir's wetlands, pointing to a gaggle of geese in Hokersar lake, near Kashmir's main city, Srinagar. "Things have changed now completely. With peace returning, we are paying lot of attention to regain the lost glory of these wetlands."

EDIT

http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/41080/story.htm

[aquart]

1. I'm trying to imagine how the birds made the decision.

How does a bird decide that an area is safe for a return?