Lakes in Nagpur city, which are some of the winter destinations for migratory birds for centuries, are now witnessing at least 70% drop in the number of feathered friends in recent years. For, degradation of wetlands and climate change hampered the natural annual activity which is going to change many other environmental activities in and around city. According to Avinash Londhe, Ornithologist, Researcher and Honorary Wildlife Warden (care-taker), while talking with The Hitavada, said, all lakes in and around Nagpur city are nesting sites of Mangolian and Siberian birds during winter. Over 85 species of the migratory birds previously were regular to Nagpur district every year, Londhe claimed. “Degradation of lakes or wetlands in city reduced the migration in recent years. Increased anthropogenic activities, intrusion of Eichhornia weeds, cutting off of lake beds, and felling of trees from lake banks are the major reasons behind drop in number of mogratory birds,” claimed Londhe.

 

“In 2014-15, as per wetland bird census, there were more than 13,500 migratory birds were recorded in a single day. More than 85 species were reported that year. Now in 2023-24, the number dropped drastically and we counted just 4,279 migratory birds came in city,” said Londhe. In 2023-24, there were only 74 species of birds came to city lakes which is a major drop. Greylag Geese, Flamingo, Common Pochard, Turnstone and Gadwall are some species that permanently stopped to migrate in Nagpur lakes in last few years, informed Londhe. “Koradi lake was known for flocks of Flamingo which is now almost stopped.

 

The condition of the lake is the main reason behind the natural migration of this species,” said the bird expert. “We reported 600 to 1,200 plus flocks in single day between 2011 and 2016. Now a days, the count reduced upto 50 to 75 plus flocks which is a dramatic drop,” claimed Londhe. “Climate Change, cyclone in migration path, long duration heavy rainfall and submerged Foraging beds of lake and late winter cause scattered migration in Indian subcontinent and also seen in the vicinity of Nagpur district,” said Prof Jagdish Borkar, Professor, Government Institute of Science, Nagpur. “There is an urgent need of restoration of key lakes in Nagpur District and public awareness among farmers on crop rotations to attract migrants and initiatives taken by us need to be accompanied by Maharashtra State Biodiversity Board along with Nagpur Forest Division,” said Borkar.

 

There is no Biodiversity Committee Meeting so far taken place between Maharashtra State Biodiversity Board, Nagpur Municipal Corporation and district administration for development of wetlands. Dr Bharat Singh Hada, Member Secretary, Maharashtra State Biodiversity Board (MSBB) said, “No meeting has been taken place so far but we conduct meeting at village levels to educate and address issues related to biodiversity. Any data on reduction of migratory birds in Nagpur district will be treated seriously and the Board is ready to address the issue at State-level.” 

 

 

Iconic Ambazari lake which was home to more than 88 migratory bird species, is now accommodating only four to five species in last 2-3 years. “Spreading of Eichhornia weeds and inflow of sewage and industrial effluent in the lake reduced the number of migratory birds drastically in recent years. Now, there is no space left for these species in the lake,” claimed Avinash Londhe. Cutting of trees around the lake resulted in drop in nesting by mogratory birds, he added. While talking about Futala Lake, he said, “Anthropogenic activities in the lake is the biggest reason behind reduction in number of migratory birds. Also, the birds are avoiding nesting in nearby trees just because of heavy human activities,” added Londhe.