While the eyes of the world are focused on the renowned conductor Zubin Mehta conducting the Bavarian State Orchestra in the backdrop of the terraced Mughal gardens of Srinagar, a small but equally remarkable ceremony took place in the Town Hall in Pampore on Thursday morning.
In a historic moment for wildlife in J&K, four wetlands, namely Fushkoori, Mainbugh, Krunchoo and Chatlam spread over 175 acres of land were returned to the wildlife department of the state.
This land had earlier witnessed huge encroachments and had been placed in the custody of the revenue department
The revival would see, wildlife enthusiasts believe, the return of 25 species of migratory birds including the rare tufted duck.
While the German ambassador Michael Steiner has been the inspiration behind getting Zubin Mehta to Srinagar, the revival of the wetlands has been initiated by Nadeem Qadri, executive director of the Wildlife Conservation Fund (WCF).
Seeing this area being run over by poachers, Mr Qadri approached the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) in 2011 to help save these wetlands. Mr Qadri began carrying out awareness drives to make people aware of the ill-effects of dumping garbage.