December month has arrived but the visibility of a large number of migratory birds is still awaited across Chhattisgarh this year.
Ornithologists quote various reasons for the phenomenon. However, they feel the scenario was far better in the previous years.
“The delayed arrival of winter and scarcity of water in reservoirs have affected the arrival of migratory birds, particularly ducks. We have received reports from Gidwa, Bastar, Raipur and Naya Raipur wherein the Red-crested Pochards and Common Pochards have arrived in less numbers,” said Chhattisgarh Wildlife Board President Arun M K Bharos.
He further said, “We hope the conditions are conducive for the migratory birds in the coming fortnight.”
Similarly, State Culture and Archaeology Directorate Joint Director Rahul Kumar Singh, also a bird watcher pointed out on the prominent water tanks which were hardly filled with water till last month.
“We are yet to check the migratory bird’s presence. As far as our observation is concerned, it has been seen that the number of ducks visiting Raipur has declined. For instance, in Kurud and Serikhedi tanks the arrival of ducks is less,” said Singh.
Sources informed the arrival of migratory birds from Russia, Tibet, Himalayan region, Mongolia and Europe begins here around November 15-20. Also, it is believed that there has been a steep decline in the number of cranes arriving for the past four or five years.
Meanwhile, State Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) Arvind Anil Boaz pointed out :“It would not be correct saying that the migratory birds have not come in large numbers this time. They may have shifted their sites due to the disturbance caused by visitors resulting in food unavailability,” he said.