The number of migratory birds visiting national
Nangal Wetland has been on decline. Hectic human activity, global
warming and vanishing green cover have been the main factors
influencing number of winged visitors to the place. This was found
during bird census conducted at Nangal wetland last week by avid
watchers.
The survey found that 8,473 migratory birds of
19 species, including ruddy shell ducks, pintail duck, crested grove,
common pochard, red crested pochard, great cormorant, small cormorant,
mallard, common coots, shoveler, gaidwal, night heron, wigeon, grey
lag geese, tufted duck and common teal were on decline.
The Bombay National History Society, Delhi Birds
Club, Chandigarh Birds Club, NGO Jagriti and avid bird watchers
conducted this survey. Coots were the most commonly found birds
numbered at 1,860, followed by gaidwal at 1,042, wigeon at 920,
pintail at 822, ruddy shell ducks at 854, shoveler at 664. Earlier, a
bird count by Dr Vibhu Prakash, principal scientist from the Bombay
Natural History Society in the year 2005, had spotted 20,000 birds of
25 varieties. The study reveals decline in number of other migratory
birds as well.
“This year boating in area was discontinued in
December, whereas migratory birds start visiting wetland by October
itself,” said Parbhat Bhatti, in charge of a local NGO.
Results of the survey would be submitted to the
Wildlife Department of the state government for future references.
