Denuding mangrove reduces bird count in Bhitarkanika

Only 76,268 birds have been counted in the National Park and nearby areas.
Migratory birds in the Bhitarkanika National Park  I Express
Migratory birds in the Bhitarkanika National Park I Express

KENDRAPARA: THE latest mid-winter bird census indicated a steep decline in the bird population in Bhitarkanika national park and its nearby areas. This has raised concern about the future of the winged beauties and the fate of water bodies in the region. The mid-winter migratory bird census is an annual affair diligently pursued by the forest officials and this year’s bird count was found to be the lowest in the last three years.

 While there was a surge in the bird count from 81,401 birds in 2015 to 1,0,6,356 birds in 2016, this year the count was the lowest ever at 76,268.

“We monitored all the water bodies and mangrove forest areas of Bhitarkanika on Thursday and did proper bird survey and census. But this year, we could count only around 76,268 birds,” Divisional Forest Officer of Bhitarkanika National Park said on Friday.

 “We engaged 16 teams for bird counting in Bhitarkanika and found 109 species of migratory birds. The migratory birds include the Open billed stork, Little Cormorant, Median Egret, Large Egret, Little Egret, Purple Heron, Night Heron, Grey Heron, Darter, White Ibis and Cattle Egret, Grey-backed Shrike, Ruddy kingfisher, Red-necked Phalarrope, Western Reef Egret, Oriental Honey Buzzard, Blue-Winged Leafbird, Great Thick-knee, Great Knot, Tawny Pipit  and Goliath Heron, said the forest officer.

The chirping of the birds have stopped in these areas after the denuding mangrove forest and conversion of wetlands into prawn farms. “The avian species used to get sufficient fish and serene environment in Satabhaya, Bagapatia and other waterbodies within the park in the past but the prawn mafias have dealt a blow to the eco-system here,” Hemanta Rout, an environmentalist of Rajnagar, alleged.

The birds that used to visit these areas include Jacanas, Moorhens, Coots, Grebe, Ducks, Pelicans, Geese, Cranes, Storks, Ibises, Spoonbill, Wading birds, Swallows, Fishing eagles, Osprey and Harriers, to name a few.

As per the records of the forest department, in 2009,  the forest officials counted 1,14,921 birds while in 2010, 45,610 were sighted. Similarly, in 2011, only 52,242 birds were counted and in 2012, about 81,414 birds were sighted.

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