If warm winter was not enough, the above than the normal temperatures in hills of North India are taking a toll on the birds in these areas. Hundreds of migratory birds are fleeing earlier than the normal this year from Kashmir and adjoining areas due to unusually hot weather.
The migration that usually begins in the middle of March is already taking place as the birds are not able to acclimatize to the weather in Jammu and Kashmir. “Normally, the migration back to summer homes from the Valley by the migratory bird species starts by the middle of March, but due to unusual rise in temperatures and scant precipitation during the winter months, these avian visitors are leaving earlier this year”, said Imtiyaz Ahmad Lone, wildlife warden (Wetlands Kashmir).
According to Hindu, several species of migratory birds including Pintails, Mallards, Pochards, Wigeons and Shovellers have already left the Valley for their summer homes in Russian Siberia, Eastern Europe, the Philippines, China, central Asia and other places.
The soaring temperatures have already begun to affect Kashmir tourism as it’s star attraction, Tulip Garden, has to be opened 20 days before the scheduled time, which is April 1 owing to premature blooming of tulips.
Srinagar is recording maximum temperature between 18°C-20°C which is 5-6 degrees above than the normal. Jammu, on the other hand, is recording temperature 2-3 degrees above than the normal at 27°C-28°C. Both maximum and minimum temperatures across Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh are settling above normal during past few days due to absence of any active weather system.
Image Credit: Kashmirobserver.in