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Ravinder Saini
Tribune News Service
Jhajjar, November 12
The state has witnessed around 20 per cent drop in the number of migratory birds this season. The rising levels of air pollution, climate change and urbanisation, say experts, are taking a toll on the winged guests.
Sultanpur National Park in Gurugram and Bhindawas Bird Sanctuary in Jhajjar (a part of Rohtak division) are the two major wetlands in the state where the maximum number of migratory birds flock every season. The Rohtak division has seen a 30 per cent decrease in their arrival. Generally, the birds start flocking the region from October 15 onwards.
“Around 25,000 migratory birds of different species were spotted in the Bhindawas bird sanctuary and water bodies located in the Rohtak division up to November 7 last year, but the figure this season is just 17,500,” said Deepak Alawadhi, divisional wildlife officer, Rohtak.
Alawadhi said a similar situation was recorded in Gurugram division. Around 25,000 winged guests visited there up to November 7 last year, but this year the count was around 20,000. The number of birds should rise considerably in the coming days due to the drop in temperature, he added.
“A polluted environment not only reduces the visibility, but also adversely affects the health of migratory birds. Urbanisation and industrialisation have also harmed private water bodies, creating an unfavorable condition for the birds,” he maintained.
VS Tanwar, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Haryana, said 15 to 20 per cent fall had been recorded in the number of migratory birds across the state. “Though a polluted environment is one of the major factors behind the declining number of winged guests this season, changes in climate, urbanisation and industrialisation are the other reasons,” he added.
Tanwar said over 80,000 migratory birds of different species were recorded in Gurugram from October to March 2018 while the figure was 50,000 in Rohtak division.
Rakesh Ahlawat, a local bird watcher, claimed that scanty rainfall was also a major factor behind the drop in the Rohtak region. “The birds also arrive at Dighal, Dhandhlan, Mandothi, Dhaud and Baland villages in Jhajjar district every year but their number has been reduced by 50 per cent this time. Dangerous nets being used to cover fish ponds in the villages are also affecting the count,” Ahlawat added.
Over 20 per cent fall in migratory birds
Last year around 25,000 migratory birds were spotted in the Bhindawas bird sanctuary and other water bodies in Rohtak division, this season the number is just 17,500 Deepak Alawadhi, divisional wildlife officer, Rohtak
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