Bird population in Loktak declines
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, February 14, 2013:
The water bird population in Loktak Lake in Manipur has moderately declined this year as compared to the previous year, according to the IFS, DCF/Park and Sanctuary Division, Sanjenthong, Imphal.
Releasing the Water Bird Census Report 2014 at his office chamber, L Joykumar, IFS, DCF/Park and Sanctuary Division, Sanjenthong, Imphal, said the population of the local and migratory water birds in the Loktak Lake in Bishnupur district of Manipur has decreased this year as compared to the previous year due to mass hunting and killing of these birds particularly on the eastern side of the lake.
Lesser whistling duck (tingi) was recorded as the highest number of birds in the lake during a survey, he said.
The census exercise of the water birds was conducted on January 18 this year, he informed and added that the population of these birds was recorded to be 34, 356 last year, while it has been reduced to 32, 855 this year.
During the exercise, survey was carried out in 50 different spots around the lake when 58 water birds of different species were identified, he said.
Joykumar also said a total of 2, 858 birds were found in Ningthoukhong area while in Sunusiphai area the number was much lesser comparing to other areas around the lake.
He said new flocks of migratory birds such as common shelduck, great crested grebe, northern lapwing, little ringed plover, kentish plover, grey lag goose and greater painted snipe have landed on the lake this year after nearly two decades.
According to the report, there are 34,356 birds at the Loktak Lake which includes common crane, common Shelduck, Guat crested grebe, grey leg goose and Mandarin duck.