Concerned over a sharp decline in the population of migratory and resident water dependent bird species at Sukhna, the higher authorities will carry out second census exercise at the end of the season.
After observing decline in numbers of water bird species at Sukhna lake and water bodies in Sukhna Reserve Forest during the census held this month, avian experts have now decided to conduct a second census exercise in the month of March or April. The Avian Habitat and Wetland Society (AHWS) had conducted the waterfowl census with the assistance of UT Forest and Wildlife Department on February 2 (World Wetlands Day).
The waterfowl census 2014 showed drop in population of water bird species at Sukhna as compared to last year’s numbers. A total of 14 species of migratory birds and 22 resident water birds species were recorded this year. And, a total number of 585 birds of resident and migratory species were sighted. last year, a total number of birds recorded were 806 while over 1,500 birds were recorded in the previous year.
The disturbance at Sukhna lake and its catchment area, de-silting operation at Sukhna and environment changes due to ongoing construction work in Sukhna catchment, are believed to be the reasons for decline in population of water birds species here. The experts who conducted the survey had concluded that there is too much disturbance and noise created by tourists ever since the area has been designated as a migratory bird sighting zone by the UT Forest Department.
According to the census report 2014, some water dependent species that were sighted in April and May 2013 were not sighted this year. So, another survey has been planned to record waders like Black tailed Godvit and other migrants like the Terns and Skimmer at the end of winter season. The species of migratory birds sighted this year were Greater Cormorant, Bar-headed Geese, Ruddy Shelduck, Northern Pintail, Common Teal, Mallard, Gadwall, Northern Shoveller, Eurasian Wigeon, Common Pochard, Tufted Duck, White–tailed lapwing and Black-headed Gull and Ferruginous Pochard.
Every year, the waterfowl census is conducted on February 2 in an effort to sight and count the migratory and resident water bird species at Sukhna lake and Sukhna Reserve Forest. The census is held during February as a large number of migratory birds reach Chandigarh every year by mid-November and stay here till March or April. While talking to The Pioneer, Narbir Singh, vice-president of AHWS said, “This time, the species of water dependent birds and their population was less as compared to last year. The report of the census exercise has been submitted to UT Forest and Wildlife Department.”
“The resident water bird species is our main concern as their numbers is declining. So, AWHS would conduct another census exercise at the end of the season in an effort to sight more water birds species in the area,” he added. He said, “While 14 migratory species were spotted during the waterfowl census this year, their population was very low compared to the size of the wetland habitat. The low population is mainly because the habitat has still not recovered after de-silting operation conducted in the summer of 2012. Also, more regulation in the area is required to make the environment liveable for the water bird species.”
“The number of both migratory birds and resident water bird species has decreased in last two years after the de-silting operation conducted at Sukhna lake,” he added This year, ducks are mainly seen in the cordoned of rowing Channel and the small wetland habitat close to the Forest Rest House (FRH) in the reserved forest where water depth is lower. Dominant Migratory species at the lake continues to be Ruddy Shelduck.
During the waterfowl census 2014, 26 number of Greater Cormorants, 97 Ruddy Shelducks, 47 Northern Pintails, 32 Common Teals, 30 Mallards, 13 Gadwalls, 63 Northern Shovellers, 2 Eurasian Wigeons, 15 Common Pochards, 21 Tufted Ducks, 1 White–tailed lapwing, 4 Black-headed Gull and 2 Ferruginous Pochard were sighted at Sukhna lake and various water bodies in Sukhna Reserve Forest.
Twenty two resident water birds species recorded at Sukhna were little Cormorant, little Grebe, Darter, Great Heron, Purple Heron, Pond Heron, Black crowned Night Heron, Spot-billed Duck, Comb Duck, Purple Swamphen, Common Moorhen, Black-Winged Stilt, Common Sandpiper, Pied Kingfisher, Common Kingfisher, Green Sandpiper among others. Notably, the winged guests have been making their abode at water bodies in the city every year for over 26 years now. The migratory birds reach Chandigarh every year by mid-November from Siberia, Central Asia, China, Afghanistan and the upper Himalayas and their stay lasts till March or April.