Global climate change has taken its toll on famous Dhanauri wetlands in Greater Noida this winter with a lesser number of migratory birds flocking here, according to the latest report of the Asian Waterbird Census(AWC). It is part of the International Waterbird Census (IWC).
Dhanauri wetland spreads over an area of approximately 101.21 hectares surrounded by crop fields and is a popular destination for bird watchers. It was a good habitat for water birds, especially a large number of threatened species includes UP state bird Sarus Crane and winter migratory water birds.
However, wetland’s existence depends on monsoon rainfall; it dries up in summer and turns into a small pond having no other independent water source.Present century global climate change impacts badly i.e. delays seasonal change, lesser rainfall, declines or dries wetland habitat, delays winter season, migration of long distant migratory birds as well poor conservation, management of wetland habitats as example, Dhanauri wetland.
This year apart from global climate change mostly delayed migration impacts everywhere but lack of proper conservation, management of wetland habitats another prime reason for arrival, lesser species diversity and number of migratory water birds on prominent wetlands as recorded at Dhanauri wetland. AWC 2024 on January 08 conducted by AWC Delhi State Coordinator, T K Roy, ecologist, ornithologist with a team of expert birders from WISA HQ, universities, NGO recorded least water bird species diversity and overall lesser population.
During AWC 2024 recorded declined water bird species diversity and total number i.e. total species diversity 31 includes 15 resident species and 16 migratory species of total number 1,454 in comparison 35 species in 2023 includes 18 resident and 17 migratory species of total number 1,861; 40 species in 2022 includes 20 resident and 20 migratory species of total number: 2,459 usually maximum number of the migratory species - Northern Shoveler, Eurasian Coot, Graylag Geese, few other species includes IUCN Red-listed threatened birds but this year least number of these species at Dhanauri wetland.
