The release of Narmada water in water bodies, it seems, does not bode well for the migratory birds in the state. For, after Nalsarovar that saw less than usual winged visitors this season, thanks to the high water level, it is the turn of the Vadhvana wetland, close to Dabhoi taluka in Vadodara, to see a dip in birds. The reason remains the same — release of Narmada water.
Rohit Vyas, a naturalist, who has closely studied the Vadhvana wetland, said that till 2008 it boasted of 1.37 lakh birds on an area of 7 sq km. “This means the per sq km density of birds here was more than that of Nalsarovar. But over the years, the release of Narmada water has robbed the wetland of its attraction and as a result the number of birds coming to the place has also seen a dip,” said Vyas. He said it is not just about birds, even the eco-system needs to be preserved. “There are four other water bodies ideal for the birds within close proximity. Yet, it is Vadhvana that attracts more birds. This means there is something unique to it. By raising the water level, we are hindering the visit of birds,” said Vyas. He said that nature lovers as well as the forest department officials have taken up the matter with the irrigation department but without any success. “All that we want is that water not be released during the month of January-February when maximum congregation of birds occurs. This year there were just 19,000 birds in the month of February,” said Vyas.
Interestingly, the wetland that hosts 200 species of birds, both migratory and local, has been declared Wetland of National Importance in 2005 and since then has attracted a considerable number of bird lovers. “I have been studying Vadhvana for the last 20 years. Never have I seen such rise in water levels and such low number of birds,” said Vyas.
The matter was also taken up during the interactive session before the bird census at Nalsarovar recently, where forest officials rued the fact that despite talks with the revenue department in the matter, nothing was being done.
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