CONRAD DIAS
Ranchi, Dec 22: Renowned bird watcher and author from Dhanbad AK Sahay believes that the number of migratory birds found in Jharkhand water bodies during winters has gone down by 20 per cent in the last two decades but is in a recovery stage.
“As compared to 2002, the number is less but it is recovering. There are many factors due to which this has happened such as the extinction of many species as well as deforestation and climate change. Most importantly because of increasing heat. Every year, the temperature is at a higher rate than the previous year and in about the next 30 years or so, the heat would be so high that no more birds will be able to travel thousands of km,” Sahay said.
He added that most migratory birds that come to Jharkhand, travel via the northeastern route.
“I say this with reasonable certainty because birds like falcated ducks and Merganser are seen in North East but never seen in the Keoldev bird sanctuary. But these two are seen in Jharkhand,” he added.
The change I have seen is that number of Northern Pintail has lessened every year. Earlier this bird used to be greatest in numbers. Each year some changes are noticed. An example is that greylag goose numbers have improved and so is the case with Wigeon,” he further added.
The most prominent migratory birds found in Jharkhand water bodies during winters are red-headed pochard, tufted duck, Himalayan Ducks, Siberian Ducks, Ruddy Shelduck, Red Breasted Pochard, Pin Tail and white-browed bulbul.
Satya Prakash, Jharkhand coordinator of Indian Bird Conservation Network (IBCN) during an interview with PTI said that migratory birds come to places like Jharkhand in search of food and to protect themselves from extreme cold in Central Asia, the Himalayan Region, Mongolia and the Tibetan plateau.
Notably, Migratory birds make prominent water bodies of Jharkhand their temporary home during the winter. The places include Topchanchi Lake, Tilliya and Maithan Dams in Dhanbad, Kanke and Rukka Dams in Ranchi, Dimna Lake in Jamshedpur, Baska Dam in Chatra and Udhwa Lake Bird Sanctuary in Sahibganj.
According to experts, every year, around 25,000 to 30,000 migratory birds visit these water bodies. They added that many people kill these birds for their meat which is a rich source of protein.
Regarding this, forest department officials have been asked to keep an eye on the activities in water bodies.
Ranchi DFO (wildlife) Umesh Sahni had earlier said in an interview that the Forest protection committee have also been asked to inform forest officials immediately if they find any suspected activity.
