Migratory birds counted
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 18 2014 :
Four species of migratory birds which have stopped visiting the State for the last many years were sighted today when migratory birds were counted today at 51 locations in and around Loktak Lake.
The bird count organised by Forest Department's Wildlife Wing in association with a number of NGOs was directly mo-nitored by Chief Wildlife Warden Th Ibobi, DCF (Park and Sanctuary) L Joykumar, Range Officers Kh Hitler and L Bi-ramangol.
Talking about the bird count, L Joykumar said that the number of migratory birds coming to Loktak and adjoining lakes has been increasing since the Wildlife Wing started counting them in 2011 .
This year may see further increase in the number of migratory birds, he said.
Last year 34 species of birds were sighted and today four more species have been sighted in addition to the 34 species.
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Mandarin Duck (Sana Nganu) which was not seen since 39 years back were sighted today together with Grebe Crested Dart (Kumphongbi), Common Shelduck (Thangong Arangba) and Eurussian Wigeon (Thangongman) .
Saying that the bird count would be conducted every year, Joykumar noted that huts have been built again on phumdis of Loktak Lake after they were dismantled.
Forest Department has also been working to declare an area of 13 hectares at Thinungei, Bishnupur district as conservation reserve.
Environmentalist Dr Kh Shamungou who also participated in the bird count as an investigator said that the bird count was aimed studying the species and number of birds.
Given the increased number of birds sighted at Loktak, ecology of the lake seemed to have improved to some extent.