Hokersar wetland

Hokersar is a wetland covering around 1,375 hectares in the Kashmir Valley at approximately 1,584 meters elevation. The landscape includes flowing inlet streams, thick aquatic vegetation, and marshy zones throughout the area.

The site was first protected as a conservation reserve in 1978 under the Jammu and Kashmir Wildlife Protection Act. It gained international recognition as a Ramsar wetland in 2005.

The wetland serves as a gathering place where local communities have practiced traditional fishing for many generations. You can observe how people continue to use the area in ways that respect and sustain its natural resources.

The best visiting period runs from September through May when numerous waterfowl species are present. Plan your visit for early morning or late afternoon hours for the most rewarding wildlife viewing.

The wetland functions as a critical stopover on the migration route between Siberia and southern regions. During winter months, it receives hundreds of millions of migratory birds making it one of the region's most important bird watching destinations.