Forest Department organises motivation camp
Source: The Sangai Express

Bishnupur, January 28 2020: A motivation camp to ensure smooth conduct of Loktak waterbird census, which is fixed on January 30, was held today at the conference hall of IB no 1, Keibul Lamjao National Park.

The camp was organised by Wildlife Wing of Forest Department in association with Indian Bird Census Network (IBCN) Manipur and supported by Environmental Social Reformation & Sangai Protection Forum (ESRSPF), Pole Star Guardian's Association (POSGAT), Toubul Youth Development Association (TYDA), Global Science Club, Unique Wildlife Protection Committee and Eco Club Kumbi.

The camp was attended by 50 volunteers and 50 staff of Forest Department who will conduct the census on January 30.It is reported that the proposed census will be conducted from 7.30 am to 12.30 pm at 50 different stations on the said day.

It may be recalled that the initiative to count migratory birds roosting at Loktak Lake was held for the first time in 2011 .

In 2011, 5, 281 migratory birds of 12 species were identified at 27 spots while 16,720 birds of 11 species were sighted in 2012 at 40 spots.

The birds recorded from 2013 to 2019 are as follow: 21,475 birds of 16 species (2013); 19,672 birds of 18 species (2014); 24,890 birds of 19 species (2015), 24,180 birds of 19 species (2016), 10,467 birds of 13 species (2017), 9,725 birds of 11 species (2018) and 26,999 birds of 18 species (2019).Loktak Lake was declared Ramsar site in 1990 and enlisted in Montreux Record as an unhealthy lake in 1993 .

A Ramsar Site is a wetland designated to be of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.

For any wetland to be considered healthy, migratory birds not less than 20,000 should be recorded annually as per Ramsar guideline.

Unfortunately, the same could not be maintained at Loktak Lake, though over 20,000 migratory birds were sighted last year.

To ensure visit of more such migratory birds to Loktak Lake, it is imperative to maintain the cleanliness of the water body.

The programme was attended by DCF P&S Division Sanajaoba Khuraijam; State Co-Ordinator IBCN Manipur RK Birjit Singh; Associate Professor Zoology Moirang College, N Sony Singh and Range Forest Officer - 1, N Birachandra as dignitaries among others.

Comment