Exotic migratory birds have once again begun flocking near the dams, rivers, parks and in the forestry area in Dhanbad and Bokaro districts.
The most trusted place for sighting the various species these winged guests are Chandankiyari, Chandrapura and Tenughat dam, Hathia Pathar, Jamunia dams and Pichri in Bokaro while Maithan dam in Dhanbad including Dumka, Hazaribagh, Sahebganj and other places place in Jharkhand. This winter various species of the migratory birds including white and citirine wagtail, northern pintail, gargely, ruff, black winged common teal, green shank, common coot, mallard, pygmy goose, pochard, red crested pochard and combed duck can be seen easily at those spots, said a Shankar a bird watcher.
Over thousands of migratory birds belonging to more than 16 species used to visit in our country during early eighties now the number has dropped drastically to hundreds. Now about 500-odd winged guest are visiting in our country, he said. “Global warming, pollutions and frequent bombings in conflict zones along their flight path are the main reasons in decline in the number of the winged guest”, added Shankar. ‘Bird poaching’ is another vital reason behind the decline in the numbers of these exotic migratory birds. local tribal claims that they do it for making quick money, said Sandeep Kumar another bird lovers of Dhanbad.
“We are seeing so many species of migratory birds after a decade. But, I was shocked to see the brutal killing of these birds by tribal people,” said Sandeep. “Till the 1990s, thousands of visitors from Bengal, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar used to frequent the area, including Maithan Dam in Dhanbad, to take a glimpse of these exotic birds but their chirping has been silenced amid the sounds of red rebels’ guns since past few years,” he added