LAKESin Nagpur city, which are some of the winter desti nations for migratory birds for centuries, are now witnessing at least 70% drop in the num ber 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 migra tory birds previously were reg ular to Nagpur district every year, Londhe claimed. “Degradation of lakes or wet lands in city reduced the migra tion in recent years.

 

Increased anthropogenic activities, intru sion 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 dras tically 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 permanent ly 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 natu ral 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 sub merged Foraging beds of lake and late winter cause scattered migration in Indian subconti nent and also seen in the vicin ity 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 (BCM) so far taken place between Maharashtra State Biodiversity Board (MSBB), Nagpur Municipal Corporation and dis trict administration for devel opment of wetlands. Dr Bharat Singh Hada, Member Secretary, Maharashtra State Biodiversity Board (MSBB) said, “No meet ing has been taken place so far but we conduct meeting at vil lage levels to educate and address issues related to bio diversity. 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.”