 Early Times Report
JAMMU, Jan 10: The loud chirping of migratory birds in Gharana wetland at RS Pura is missing, as the number of migratory birds is far less this year from the last few years, due to the indifferent attitude of the local people at RS Pura.
Though the migratory birds from Siberia have arrived at internationally acclaimed Gharana wetland yet their number is very low this year.
According to the wildlife officials, due to the indifferent attitude of the locals at the surrounding areas of Gharana wetland, the migratory have been moved to the wetlands of the surrounding areas, especially the Bar-Headed gees.
Gharana wetland is about 35 kilometers west of Jammu in R.S. Pura sector on Indo-Pak border, it is home to thousands of migratory birds during winter from China and Central Asia. It has been notified as Important Bird Area (IBA) site. It was declared Reserve in 1981.
Tahir Shawl, Wildlife warden in Jammu told Early Times, "This year around only 2000-2500 migratory birds came in Gharana wetland, These birds include Bar-headed geese, Pil teal, Northern Shovellel, coot common teal etc."
"Last year the number of migratory birds was more than 8000 in this wetland, especially the number of Bar-headed gees decreased drastically with around 2500-3000 birds," he added.
While giving the reason of the decreased number he said, "The migratory birds, especially the Bar headed gees came to Gharana, but not settled here, the surrounding villagers had busted crackers near the wetland, according to them these birds spoils their crop."
"It can be the weather condition also, that doesn't allow them to settle in the wetland, I am hopeful that by January 15, the wetland would witness again flocks of these migratory birds," he added.
Last year also, some people had burst crackers to make the birds leave the wetland as they were allegedly eating their crops.
Now, the Local police have made security arrangements for the tourists visiting Gharana wetland. Also, the villagers have been cautioned against forcing the birds to flee as they had done last time.
In Gharana, a good number of migratory birds from highlands of Central Asia, China and Bhutan use to start flocking around mid November every year. These Birds start going back in ending February or first week of March.
"There are about 80 to 85 residents cum migratory species of birds in Gharana Wetlend," informs Shawl.
According to the Wildlife warden said that the department had launched satellite telemetry to study the migration pattern of the migratory birds. "Last year we had tied a satellite device with two bar headed gees, this will help us to record the migratory pattern of the birds like their routes, their resting points, whether coming and going routes are same, their behavior enroute." |
