In an indication to Sukhna’s plundering ecological dimensions, the number of resident and migratory water bird species has witnessed considerate decline this year.
The waterfowl census conducted on February 2, 2014 showed sharp decline in water bird species at Sukhna lake and Sukhna Reserve Forest as compared to last year.
Fourteen species of migratory birds were recorded during the waterfowl census conducted by Avian Habitat and Wetland Society (AHWS) and UT Forest and Wildlife Department on February 2 (Wetland Day) at Sukhna. During the waterfowl census, a total number of 585 birds of resident and migratory species were sighted.
last year, the total number of birds recorded was 806 birds while over 1500 birds were recorded in the previous year. Disturbance at Sukhna lake and its catchment, problem of weed and silt in water bodies here, environment changes due to ongoing construction work in Sukhna catchment, are believed to be the reasons for the decline in population of water birds here.