Bird lovers are having a good time spotting several feathered friends at the water bodies in India. Along with flamingos, other birds like the Grey-headed Canery Fly, Black Red Start, Rose Flinch, Comb Duck and Sterling have been spotted by nature lovers.
Indian subcontinent plays host to a number of migratory birds in summers as well as winters. It is estimated that over hundred species of migratory birds fly to India, either in search of feeding grounds or to escape the severe winter of their native habitat. The numerous wildlife sanctuaries set up in the country serve as their temporary habitat. Bird lovers from all over the country visit these sanctuaries to get a glimpse of some of the rarest species of birds in the world. The beauty of the birds, combined with the natural environment provides the perfect setting for a nature lover. At the same time, these birds allow us to study the patterns of weather and climatic conditions.
Migrating birds start on a journey when they feel that they have put on enough fat to provide them energy throughout the journey. Then, the tendency to aggregate into flocks is another determinant of the time of migration. Even after the flock, which has to fly together, has gathered, the birds keep on feeding till the weather conditions become favorable. Thus, apart from the internal clock of the birds and their flock, it is also the availability of food and the weather conditions that play a role in the determination of the time of migration.The Jayakwadi reservoir, Tembapuri project, Dheku dam, Sukhana dam, Songthana medium project, Majalgaon dam, Ghanewadi project and Vishnupuri project draw hundreds of migratory birds every year from across the globe.
The number of these migratory birds has reduced in the last few years. Rapid urbanization and encroachments into the lakes has led to severe degradation of the habitat. It is a matter of concern for bird lovers that the summer and winter guests of India are avoiding to come to us because of the unpleasent activities done by humans. The number of the winged visitors is also coming down.
Not only this, many bird species are now endangered because of the vanishing forests. The cutting of trees has made them homeless, thus marking a decrease in their population.
Firstly, the reason for this can be attributed to climatic changes and local disturbances. The temperature is not as low as it used to be around December, a few years ago. Winter birds used to come here by early November and stay till February – sometimes March. But now they come late and leave early. This is credited to the increasing average temperature of the planet, i.e global warming. More heat in the sub-tropic countries like India reduces the duration of the visit of these birds to countries like India.
Secondly, the rivers of India has also become extremely polluted. There are government programmes for cleansing the polluted rivers. But still, the situation is not changed. The local residents and industries release their waste into these rivers, which get polluted. Government must take the river cleansing programmes seriously and come up with some effective results in the coming future.
Moreover, there is noise pollution because of vehicles and the annual Diwali fireworks (this is the time when migratory birds come to our country.) High-tension electric wires run through the sanctuary. There are mobile towers in the vicinity that affect movement of birds.
In short, it can be said that increasing urbanization along with the rocketing population is widely responsible for the decrease in the visits of mogratory birds to India. This deprieves the bird-watchers one of the major happiness of their lives. Moreover, the decreasing number of these birds can disturb the ecosystem.
They are our friends who come to meet us every year to a home away from home. In return, we are given the pleasent view of watching the Siberian cranes, Grey-headed Canery Fly, Black Red Start etc. During their arrival, they also generate the much needed fund for the bird sanctuaries from the bird-lovers. A lot of people gathered around to have the delighting view of these migratory birds.All the birds do is to give us, they harm nobody, so can’t we be kind to them.
Visit a bird sanctury sometime. You will feel very close to nature. The things will go really great with these creatures of the nature. As is India`s culture athithi devo bhava. Welcome them!
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