Loss of wetlands led to fewer migratory birds
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, April 08 2011:
The number of migratory birds visiting Manipur's wetlands including Loktak Lake declined this year.
This was recorded in the recently concluded day long water bird census by a team of local experts in association with the NGO representatives.
"We've recorded a sharp decline in the number of migratory birds visiting Loktak lake", state's environmentalist Dr Kh Shamungou said.
Sharing his observation during the valedictory function of the three day capacity strengthening training programme on 'Bird conservation and management' at Keibul Lamjao National Park's inspection bunglow, about 55 km south of Imphal today, Dr Shamungou, however, admitted that a small number of Nganu Thoidingnum (Gadwall ) were recorded unlike in the past.
The unpredictable rain pattern in Loktak's hydrology could be the reason for the decline of the birds, he observed.
Dr Shamungou along with ornithologists K Jugeshor Singh and RK Birjit had conducted a water bird study at Loktak on February 2 where they spotted 57 types of water birds belonging to 10 bird families including waterfowls.
"5,723 were local waterbirds, 18 were migratory, 12 were waterfowl (Nganu)", Dr Shamungou said.
"Two birds�Nganu Mitngoubi (Ferrigunous Pocchard) and Ura-Linmanbi (Darter) were listed as near threatened species by IUCN" .
The team also found it difficult to spot birds such as Kaksu (Glossy Ibis) or other Ibis in their recent study.
However, resource persons from Bombay Natural Historical Society (BNHS) who had been imparting new techniques in waterbirds conservation expected that the number of waterbirds in the lake might be increased once the area of water bodies is expanded.
"I'm expecting the number of migratory birds once the phumdi are removed from the lake", Dr S Balachandran, Asst Director of BNHS said.
The expert and his team who took part in the recently concluded bird census were disappointed to see the decline of migratory bird population in Manipur's wetlands.
Around 30 officers of the state forest department, Loktak Development Authority and NGO representatives who took part in the state forest department sponsored three day long training were later given certificates by the experts.