Poaching Of Migratory Birds In Chilika Lake

CHILIKA LAKE (Orissa): Chilika lake bird sanctuary is fast becoming a death trap for migratory birds. Located a few miles from Bhubaneswar city, the renowned sancturay attracts hundreds of thousands of birds every year. This year more than 200,000 birds have fallen prey to illegal poaching. Bird lovers say poachers use chemicals to trap the birds.

"Poachers are killing birds rampantly. They use chemicals to kill them. Except in a few pockets, poaching is going on in every area. The birds are taken from here and then sold in big cities like Bhubaneswar and other areas," said Ram Behera, an anti-poaching activist.

Chilika is the largest brackish water lagoon on the eastern coast and also the largest wintering ground for migratory water fowl from all over the world. Birds arrive here every year from October to December from the higher latitudes of the northern hemisphere to escape the extreme cold conditions. Most of them fly thousands of kilometres from places like Siberia and Australia. Along with common species like Sandpiper, Wigeon, Pintall Duck and Gadwall, many rare species like Peregrine Falcon, Spotbilled Pelican, Pallas fishing eagle and Asian Dowwitch also breed in these warm waters.

Though villagers and former poachers do extend some help under the 'village bird protection' programme started in 1996, most of them back out due to lack of Government support. Madhab Rao, a poacher-turned-protector, says they are threatened by armed poachers. "We used to do patrolling work in Manglajodi area but we have stopped because the poachers from other regions threaten us. They come with guns and arms. Nobody is helping us," said Rao. While most birds are sold for their meat, the rare species are bought by rich clients to be kept as exotic pets. Birds like Peregrine Falcon fetch as high as 5,000 dollars. Monalisha Bhujbar, secretary of the Chilika protection programme, said it would be difficult to sustain anti-poaching activities without help from the central Government.

Experts say siltation and varying salinity has also led to an overall drop in bio-diversity. While the lake had a salinity level of 3.5 parts per thousand (PPT) until last year, it has risen to 8.5 PPT badly affecting the health and biology of the lake's wetland and its fish population. Ironically, it was the problem of reduced salinity in the lake water which had prompted officials to open another mouth of the lake and desilt the outer channel. But rampant and largely unscientific means have meant the entire process going awry.

"This sanctuary, everyday we are monitoring it, the number of birds are declining day by day. After opening of the new mouth (canal), the salanity of the Chilika lake has gone up. Before the opening of the new canal the lake's salanity was within 5 parts per thousand (PPT) but at present the salanity is more than 8 PPT. The birds are unable to tolerate the high salanity," said Chandra Mani Mehra, the parks range officer.

Of the 173 different species that visit the lake, 92 are migratory. This coupled with the huge variety of flora and fauna found in the region makes it the country's most sensitive bio- diverstiy hotspots. Chilika is the largest brackish water lagoon on the eastern coast and also the largest wintering ground for migratory water fowl from all over the world. Birds come here from places as far as Russia, Siberia and Australia. Based on its rich biodiversity, the sanctuary was designated as a Ramsar site or a wetland of international importance in 1981. Besides being one of Orissa's well-known tourist spots, the lake is a highly productive ecosystem and supports the livelihood of more than 1.5 million fishermen who live in and around the lake.

A Village in Rajasthan Attracts Hundreds of Siberian Cranes(Go to Top)

KHEECHAN (Rajasthan): Hundreds of Siberian cranes that arrived in India's north-western Kheechan village a few months back make an attractive sight. Kheechan, 150 km north of Jodhpur city in arid Rajasthan, is an unspoilt sanctuary, one of several winter homes in India to the migratory birds which fly thousands of kilometres every year to escape the harsh Siberian winters.

These cranes are originally from Central Asia and have been visiting the deserts of Rajasthan since more than 200 years. Popularly known as demoiselle cranes, these birds arrive here in September and nestle till the end of March. These cranes have to cover a distance of 4,500 to 6,000 km before arriving here. "These cranes come from Siberia to Kheechan overflying Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Afghanistan and Kutch in Gujarat. On 1st September 118 cranes had come here. They will stay here till the last week of March and the first week of April," said Satyanarayan Singh Rajpurohit, a member of the Crane Foundation.

Dozens of visitors gathered to preen the fascinating sight as the birds faced the rising sun, their tie-like black chest feathers contrasting with the blue winter sky. "We really felt nice to see these cranes and that too in such large numbers. Then when they fly it really looks good. We could not believe that they are actually from Siberia, we had to ask these villagers about them," said Deepak Sharma, a tourist from Jaipur. Every year nearly 12,000 to 15,000 cranes arrive here, but this year the number has come down due to drought leading to fast drying up of the wetlands.

These birds, which are sensitive and disciplined as well, fly in groups in search of food. They travel long distances to inhabit congenial environments on seasonal basis. During their six-month long stay in India, the birds lay eggs and bring up the chicks till they are capable to undertake the long journey back home.

Migratory Birds Skip Drought-hit Jal Mahal Lake(Go to Top)

JAIPUR: The sixth annual bird fair of Jal Mahal, Rajasthan, was thrown open to general public. But the charm which it carried in the past has been lost due to the severe drought and man-made disturbances. No one would believe that more than 15,000 migratory birds were seen a decade ago in this semi-dried up Jal Mahal Lake. This lake is also called the Man Sagar Lake, one of the natural water lakes which is known for its migratory birds all over the world.

But this year the drought has, however, changed the entire scenario. Very few migratory birds could be seen in this lake that was once glutted with birds from Central Asia and European countries. The situation is worsened with man-made disturbances in the environment. The water of the lake is being polluted right openly by letting the sewage mix in the lake.

Akash Chakravarty, a schoolboy who visited the lake, said, "As we can see the whole place has been dried up as also the people have thrown many of the plastics here. So that can be the main cause". Organisers of the fair said the lake used to attract about 142 species of birds, but this year it is not even more than two dozen species. "Due to the scarcity of water and rising pollution and no aquatic vegetation, the food for aquatic birds is not available. Due to all this it has become the habitat of badgers," said Singh. He attributed the fall in migratory birds also to the poor upkeep of the lake which is receiving sewage water.

Organisers say all is not lost. They say the lake can attract the same number of birds if it is maintained properly. "The day the water gets cleaned, the day you have better aquatic getation in the lake, you have better fish population, then you will have improved the number of birds and diversity of species in this lake as well," said Harsh Vardhan, organiser of the Indian Birding Fair.

Some of the migratory birds that could be seen were Sandpiper, Little Stint, Ringed Plover, Cormorant, Flamingo, Grey Heroin and Pond Heron. The State Government has plans to develop about 160 acres of open land around the lake for an eco-tourism project.