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Annual bird fair in Jaipur fails to take off
by Lokendra Singh

         Jaipur: As the birds from abroad failed to turn up for their winter retreat this season due to increasing pollution, the annual fair in Jaipur has been a disappointment for bird-watchers. The Man Sagar Lake becomes every year a favourite haunt of migratory birds from China and Siberia during winter. But due to changed climatic conditions and increase in pollution levels of the Lake's water this year, the number of birds visiting the city has reduced drastically. As more than 150 school children gathered on the banks of the Lake to participate in the fair, they could not help but notice the dip in the number of birds visiting this year. "This is really an interesting and educative fair, but I do feel that in contrast to the earlier years, there are very few birds here. The previous year, we had a large variety of foreign birds. The lake used to be clean but because of our own activities like dumping waste and polluting it, the number of birds seems to have declined", said Sonal, a student. The fair started three days ago, on Tuesday. The waste dumped into the water has affected the availability of flora on which migratory birds feed on. Experts have predicted if present trend continues then the Man Sagar Lake might not remain a favourite habitat for these foreign birds.

          The authorities have taken steps to control pollution levels in the water and hope that more birds would visit the lake in the coming years. "Had we been careful in the first place, the lake would have been a much beautiful place." said Apeksha, a student. Manoj Kulsherstra, a naturalist, says the lake has turned into a wetland and the State Government should take steps for its upkeep."We dump the city waste and the plastic bags. Once all this is taken out and the lake becomes deeper, I am sure more variety of birds will come here like before," he said. Some of the migratory birds usually spotted here were the Sandpiper, Ruddy Turnstone, Blue Grouse, Blue cheeked Bee-eater, Flamingo and Pond Heron. Plans are also afoot to develop about 160 acres of open land around the lake for an eco-tourism project. The 400-year-old historic Man Sagar natural water lake is known for its migratory birds all over the world. At least 113 species of birds visiting the lake have been identified by the Wild life Society of India. The fair, on the lines of the famous British bird fair, is jointly organised by the Rajasthan State Tourism Department and the administration of Jaipur.
- September 21,  2007