Migratory birds which used to find the Hirakud Dam reservoir as a safe place for their winter sojourn seem to be preferring to stay away from it. Their numbers have declined sharply this year in comparison to the previous years, wildlife department sources said.
The reasons for this are rampant poaching and water pollution, opine the nature lovers and environmentalists.
“At the same time, cyclone Phailin in October last and weather changes may be other reasons,” said DFO of Hirakud Wildlife Division Sudeep Nayak.
Since last few years, the winged guests from the far off Himalayan region, Siberia and Tundra had been coming to this reservoir spread across a sprawling water area almost 936 sqkm during winter.
Their number was also increasing every year. But this year’s bird census has given a very disappointing figure. “A total of 55 species of the birds have been spotted this year against 59 of last year,” Nayak informed.
Two other Wildlife Divisions, Jharsuguda and Bargarh, took part in the census. In all, 63,892 birds have come to the reservoir and power canal this year as against 79,138 of last year,” Nayak said.
Out of them, common pochards are 12, 966, great crested grebe 11,394, tufted duck 11,359, lesser whistling duck 6,351 and common cot 4,642.
There has been an increase in some species compared to last year.
“Pollution due to the local industries and poaching in the reservoir apart, global warming and unnatural weather condition has also had its impact on the birds’ number. At the same
time, Phailin might have played a role,” opines Prof Sajat Kumar Sahu of the life Science department of the Sambalpur University.
“But the Forest Department also needs to be more careful to stop poaching as it is going on unabated,” Prof Sahu added.