Hokersar Wetland - Park in Gund Hassi Bhat - Srinagar, India

This is Ramsar wetland with area approximately 10 kms from Srinagar.But no conservation or efforts to develop tourism are visible. The Hokersar wetland, which is the largest bird reserve in the Kashmir Valley,is situated in the Jehlum River basin. The Hokersar wetland is a designated bird sanctuary. It serves as an important staging ground for medium and long distance migratory shorebirds, geese, cranes, ducks and other species that breed in the northern latitudes of Siberia and Central Asia. The Valley of Kashmir as a whole is strategically located south of the Pamirs and at the western extremity of the Himalayan range. The waterbirds fly to Kashmir Valley via the Central Asian Flyway. They begin to arrive in September-October and leave by May. Over 500,000 waterbirds were recorded in the Hokersar Wetland in 2000-01. There were seven globally threatened species among the 45 waterbird species and 66 wetland-associated bird species reported in the reserve. Northern pintail, mallard, gadwall, northern shoveller, Eurasian wigeon and common teal are the most common waterfowl, found in large numbers during the winter. Eurasian coot, red-crested pochard, greylag goose, common pochard, garganey, and ruddy shelduck are among the other species of waterbirds also found in the reserve.

Its an Heaven for Migratory Birds. Hokersar is 14 km north of Srinagar, and is a world class wetland spread over 13.75 km2 including lake and marshy area. Birds found in Hokersar--Migratory ducks and geese which include brahminy duck, tufted duck, gadwall, garganey, greylag goose, mallard, common merganser, northern pintail, common pochard, ferruginous pochard, red-crested pochard, ruddy shelduck, northern shoveller, common teal, and Eurasian wigeon . Recently Tundra Swans visit India and they choose the heaven of birds Hokarsar to stay besides the ducks wadders also visit hokarsar sandpipers, stints etc Hokarsar is really a birders heaven ..

Hokersar is an important refuge for migratory waterfowls, shorebirds and trans-Himalayan species during winters. It also acts as one of the major flood absorption basins. Hokersar has been declared as Conservation Reserve under the Jammu and Kashmir Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1978. It was also declared as Ramsar site on November 8, 2005 under the Ramsar Convention. The study shows that the open waters of the wetland have been colonized by the weeds and other aquatic vegetation. Some areas of the wetland that existed in 1969 have been converted into paddy fields. About 10 hectares of the wetland has been converted into built-up area.This wetland is on the brink of extiction as per various environmentalists.

Beautiful place. Felt like we're in a part of heaven. But this place needs our care, people from 13 villages earn their livelihood from it and also the fodder for their animals but yet dump their waste in it and encroach it illegally. 13 types of fishes vanished from this wetland over a period of 2 years. This is our responsibility to conserve and preserve it.

The scenic beauty of the hokersar wetland is quite awesome. The birds flying through the tunnels of trees look cool. The grasses and shrubs are of great medical value. Fishing is also done here. But the most beautiful thing i like is the beauty during early summer

Hokersar is literally the heaven of migratory birds because tens of thousands of water fowls chose to visit this wetland. This wetland is always first priority of these guest birds, which come from different parts of the world to visit valley during winters. Hokersar wetland, which is some 10 kilometers away from Srinagar, houses near about six lac migratory birds and the census report which was published some days back shows that about of 567884 birds comprising 33 species, 81% migratory birds visit this wetland.

It was a poor experience here... They charged 500 for camera fees and showed nothing jus 2 or 3 species of ducks and that too from a very far away place. There are birding guiders here but they will charge atleast 3000 rupees per day. In short I will suggest not to visit this place since there is nothing to see here. I will rather suggest for birders to visit pampore wetland which is free and will find exactly same species there in pampore

Hokersar Wetlands is not not only a wet land, but also a popular breeding place for many migratory birds of Jammu and Kashmir. It is located in Srinagar, Srinagar District, Jammu and Kashmir and at a distance of 10 kilometres from Srinagar, the capital of Jammu and Kashmir.1,584 meters above sea level), Hokersar Wetlands is only 10 km from scenic paradise of Srinagar. The problem is with the staff, maximum of the time they won't allow to enter the wetland area saying it is closed and all.. Staff is unfriendly and arrogant with no audacity.