On account of the heavy rains, there may be a further drop in their already dwindling numbers, a worrying trend say senior officers from Chandigarh’s Department of Forests and Wildlife (DFW).
A host of migratory birds – that come to winter in the salubrious environs of Chandigarh’s Sukhna Lake – may not turn up this year, because of increased water levels following unusually heavy rains throughout the month of September.
Arriving from cold countries –in and around the third week of October, these birds usually stay here until March or April.
On account of the heavy rains, there may be a further drop in their dwindling numbers, a worrying trend say senior officers from Chandigarh’s Department of Forests and Wildlife (DFW).
Chief Wildlife Warden Debendra Dalai says “The high water level in Sukhna is not good for migratory birds, which prefer shallow waters, ideally not more than three to three and half feet to be able to dive easily and catch their daily intake of food, mostly small fishes, weeds etc”.
Although the floodgates of the Sukhna Reservoir were opened twice last month, the water continues to remain high, still flowing a few points below the danger mark.
Kulbhushan Kanwar, a local bird watcher says “The high water level in Sukhna Lake is a matter of concern. A fall in the number of migrating Waterfowls has been recorded in the past few years.
While in 2017 winter, 4,000 Waterfowls visited Sukhna Lake, it came down to 1,500 in 2018. The numbers were as low as 620 in November, 2019.
Chandigarh Bird Club president Mitinderpal Singh Sekhon says “Actually There are three types of migration – latitudinal, altitudinal and breeding. Latitudinal migration means movement of birds from northern latitudes when it starts snowing there. Altitudinal migration relates to birds who flock the foothills from Himalayas in winters. The breeding migration takes place in summers.”
Kulbhushan Kanwar, a local bird watcher says “The high water level in Sukhna Lake is a matter of concern. A fall in the number of migrating Waterfowls has been recorded in the past few years. While in 2017 winter, 4,000 Waterfowls visited Sukhna Lake, it came down to 1,500 in 2018. The numbers were as low as 620 in November, 2019.
But the Sukhna’s high water level is only part of the problem. “There is too much disturbance at the lake side,” says Sekhon, who has been a birdwatcher since 1983.
“People play music and talk loudly. Water sports during morning and evening also disturb the birds”, he adds.
The birds that come from the colder climes, mostly from Siberia, Central Asia, Europe, China, Japan and Afghanistan, include Waterfowls, Bar-headed Geese (highest fliers), Ruddy Shell Ducks, Pochards, Mallards and Wigeons.
Large flocks of birds also come to the lake area from the Upper Himalayan reaches. They include Black Redstart, Common Starling, Himalayan Rubythroat, Bluethroat, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Canary Flycatcher, White-throated Flycatcher, Humes Warbler, Common Chiff Chaff, lesser Whitethroat, White Wagtails, Yellow Wagtail, Eurasian Wryneck.
About three years ago, the Department of Forests and Wildlife (DFW) had built a smaller water body at Nagar Van, adjoining Sukhna Lake. But this has not brought about any change in the existing situation. Officials say the water body at Nagar Van is smaller and not in a position to accommodate the huge number of migratory birds.
Naturally, the birds are a source of thrill and delight for tourists and birdwatchers who are regular visitors to the lake, but more so during these months because of the birds.
Chandigarh’s Sukhna Lake , is actually a reservoir at the foothills of the Himalayas. This 3 km² rainfed lake was created in 1958 by
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