As the winter sets in, the picturesque water bodies across the region wait for the great annual ritual — arrival of winged guests this year.
Even as the month of November is entering its second week, the migratory birds are missing from many lakes and reservoirs in Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. Some water bodies have witnessed arrival of migratory birds, albeit, the number is very less as compared to the previous years.
The late arrival of the winged guests from far flung areas of Siberia and Central Asia to various parts of northern India has become a major concern for environmentalists and avian aficionados this year. As per the data compiled by ecologist and environmentalist, TK Roy, who is also a member of Indian Bird Conservation Network (IBCN), less numbers of migratory birds have been reported at prominent wetlands in Punjab, Himachal and Haryana this year.
“In previous years, the recorded number was more than 20000-25000 migratory birds at large wetlands in the region by now but this year, the number is less than 8000 at many places, said TK Roy, while talking to The Pioneer. “The water bodies across the region are yet to witness a surge in the arrival of migratory birds. As of now, fewer species in lesser numbers have been reported though their number is likely to pick up in the coming weeks,” he said.
As per the information compiled, no winter migratory bird species have arrived at Kanjli wetland in Punjab so far. At Ropar Wetland in the state, around 1500 winter migratory ducks have arrived with dominating species as Ruddy Shelduck and Northern Shoveler, Gadwal as well other species namely Common Pochard, Graylag Goose among others.
Around 8000 winter migratory ducks have descended at Harike wetland, another prominent water body in Punjab though the number was expected to be higher by now. Migratory birds namely Northern Shoveler, Common Coot, Gadwal and others like Eurasian Wigeon, Common Pochard, Redcrested Pochard, Tufted Duck, Ruddy Shelduck are recorded at the Harike Wetland. Keshopur Community Reserve in Punjab has witnessed around 1500 migratory ducks while Nagal Wetland saw more than 3000 winter migratory ducks till now. This included Northern Shoveler, Gadwal, Common Teal as well other species are Common Pochard, Eurasian Wigeon, Graylag Goose, Red-crested Pochard among others. “In neighboring Haryana, the famous Sultanpur National Park has recorded arrival of more than 7000 migratory ducks with large population of Northern Shoveler, Gadwal, Common Teal as well other species are Common Pochard, Eurasian Wigeon, Tufted Duck,” informed Roy.
Roy said, “Due to global climate changes all over the world, migration pattern of the birds is also changing. This year, arrival of winter migratory water birds in Indian sub-continent is recorded late with lesser species diversity and less population at various lakes and reservoirs mainly in Punjab and Haryana.”
He added, “Besides climate change, the local factors also impact the number of migratory birds at a particular place. lack of food and deteriorating conditions of wetland in some parts of the region is also leading to the decline in number of migratory birds here.” Interestingly, Chandigarh’s Sukhna lake and Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary, which is visited by a good number of migratory birds’ species every year, have so far not recorded arrival of these birds.
The Pong Dam in Himachal has recorded highest number of winged guests so far. At Pong dam, more than 15,000 migratory water birds have arrived with larger population of species diversity like Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Common Coot, Gadwal, Common Teal as well other species namely Ruddy Shelduck, Tufted Duck, Eurasian Wigeon, Common Pochard, Redcrested Pochard, Graylag Goose, Pallas’ Gull, Brownheaded Gull among others.
Roy informed, “As per the general trend, the winged guests start arriving by end of October from Siberia, Central Asia, and the upper Himalayas and their stay lasts till March or April. The distance covered by birds during migration is more than 5,000 kilometers.” Escaping cold biting conditions in their areas and braving the high snow-laden peaks of Himalayas, more than lakhs of migratory birds reach India every year.