At a time when the humble house sparrows are flying away from the City Beautiful, many native bird species have learned to co-exist with humans and are thriving in the urban city of Chandigarh.
The population of scores of resident birds' species has witnessed significant increase in the past few years.
According to the studies conducted by the city based Avian Habitat and Wetland Society, there are seven bird species, which are commonly sighted in the city.
And, the population of these resident bird species has seen rapid increase in the recent years.
The State bird of Chandigarh-Indian Grey Hornbill-is thriving in the city reflecting its adaptability to the novel surroundings of the city.
Among others, resident bird species including Shikras, Black Ibis, Common Babbler, Barbets, Purple Sunbirds continued to flourish in Chandigarh. These bird species are a common sight in various parts of the city.
Besides, the population of Indian Mynas is increasing rapidly in Chandigarh.
While talking to The Pioneer, Narbir Singh, an environment enthusiast and vice-president of Avian Habitat and Wetland Society (AHWS) said, "According to the recent observations and studies, the population of seven native bird species has witnessed significant increase in the past few years."
He said, "These include Indian Grey Hornbill, Shikras, Black Ibis, Common Babbler, Barbets, Purple Sunbirds and Indian Mynas.
Alike other places, Indian Mynas are growing at rapid pace in the city and have become the most commonly sighted bird species here."
"Over the years, the population of these resident bird species has grown remarkably and these seven species are easily sighted at various sectors and in the forest area of Chandigarh," he added.
Narbir further said, "Few years back, the state bird Indian Grey Hornbill and other species including Black Ibis and Purple Sunbirds were rarely sighted here."
"While there has been a sharp decline in the population of house sparrows here, there are still a number of species which are thriving in the urban city of Chandigarh," he added.
In a survey of birds' population here by field experts in the past, it was revealed that there are around 239 species of birds in Chandigarh (114 sq km)and over 337 species in Chandigarh region (which includes city and 40 km radius around it).
Of the total 239 species of birds in the city, 140 species were either residents or local migrants (including birds with winter and summer influx) and rest 99 were long range migrants to Chandigarh.
Out of 140 resident and local migrant birds, 73 (31%) species were local migrants, 34 (14%) were residents, 18 (8%) showed winter influx and 15 (6%) showed summer influx in their populations.
Of the long range migrants, 77 (32%) species were winter visitors and 22 (9%) were summer visitors to Chandigarh. And, Chandigarh supported 95 (40%) common species, 79 (33%) very common, 50 (21%) uncommon and 15 (6%) rare species of birds.
A total of 68 species of water birds belonging to 46 genera, 15 families and 6 orders were registered from Sukhna wetland of Chandigarh.
At present, AWHS is conducting another year-long bird survey in Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary to compile the data of resident, summer and winter migrant bird species in the forest area.
The survey had started in December 2012 and about 200 species of birds have been spotted in the forest area so far.
Sparrows missing in UT, Mohali, Panchkula
The population of house sparrows is fast disappearing from Chandigarh and its satellite townships of Panchkula and Mohali. In the first ever nation-wide survey "Citizen Sparrow" on house sparrows, the residents of the tricity including Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula had reported spotting a small group of house sparrows at about 17 different locations.
According to the survey conducted by Bombay Natural History Society, the house sparrows were sighted at only six locations in Chandigarh in the recent years.
The denizens of Chandigarh had reported sighting the house sparrows at Sector 18, Sector 22, Sector 47, Sector 31, Industrial Area Phase I and Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary. As per the survey records, a group of less than five sparrows were sighted in these Sectors here while no nests were observed. In 25 sq km Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary, a group of 5 to 30 sparrows was spotted between the years 2010-2012.