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Water shortage plays havoc with
Bharatpur's wildlife

     Bharatpur: Rajasthan is known for its colourful nomadic life, densely mustached men and highly ornate women. The Keoladeo National Park situated in Bharatpur has nothing less to claim. It is home to variety of birds, animal and water life species. It is a habitat to cross-section of national as well as migrated birds. A perfect get away from the humdrum of city life. The park plays host to a variety of kingfishers, swans, Indian herons, blue herons, spoon bills, painted stork, snake bird, Indian duck, pelicans and many foreign and resident birds. But water crisis in the region has taken its toll on this park. The dependence on groundwater rather on monsoons has led to serious consequences resulting in death of the birds and animal species residing in the park. Besides having 11 water blocks exclusively for birds and wild life animals, issue of water scarcity has resurfaced in Keoladeo National Park, after a year. These water blocks have completely dried. As an aftereffect, skeletons of animals and collapsed birds are a common sight at every close quarter. The tourists who come to enjoy their leisure time in the lap of the nature have to go back disappointed. Some tourists have rightly pointed out that proper water supply would have made the park look more lively and worth watching. They believe the variety of birds may be endangered due to water backlog. "If there would have been more water here then there would have been more species of birds that would have migrated. Efficient water supply is highly recommended," Jennifer D'Souza, a tourist from the USA.

     For some, the variety already in the park was not enough. The supposition was doused when there was barely any variety of birds and animals in the park. "We wanted to see more birds. I am sure we would have watched more if there would have been a little more water supply around here. I would recommend my friends also to come here," Mariline D'Souza, a tourist from Mumbai, said. Authorities maintain the water crisis is not a result of ignorance on their part but lack of government farsightedness. The park authorities say a dam built in the nearby district and its raised height is the root cause of water shortage resulting in the deaths of the animals and birds. However, there was no water crisis in the park in last few decades. Last year in 2005, there was ample rainfall, which lasted for few months. But the water crisis flared up again. "Problems started when a dam was built in a nearby Karauli district. Initially that did not pose any problem. But when government decided to raise the height of the dam, the water supply became less. Water did not reach our reservoir in Azanbaan village. Hence there was a water shortage in the park. This is the problem not only for us but the villages circumscribing the park," said Vijay Kumar Saalwan, Director, Keoladeo National Park. Authorities are looking at maintaining the water level superficially by pumping the water to make the fish survive. But a substantial water scheme is still awaited.
-May 11, 2006

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