With the monsoon season ending, the state is reeling under water scarcity. A less than substantial rainfall has already resulted in drying of water bodies that can severely hit wildlife in the state and particularly the avian life at Keoladeo Ghana National Park.
Renowned for its aquatic and avian life, the Keoladeo National Park in Bharatpur is a haven for ornitholigists who throng in huge numbers from across the globe. However, it is the presence of water that makes the park come alive.
“Out of all the wildlife areas in the state, Ghana holds most prominence since life here is completely dependent on water.
If the park gets water on time, the fishes also breed on time and this results in good number of migratory birds coming here,” said Tejvir Singh, retired IFS.
However, for the current year the situation looks bleak. “Since it did not rain much there is shortage of water in Bharatpur and surrounding districts. There has been a rise in demand for water in these areas for agricultural activities and also for survival and whatever little water comes, it first goes to humans as they take precedence over wildlife. Thus fishes, birds and nature itself is put on the back burner,” a highly placed official from forest department said.
Interestingly, there was a time only a few years ago when the international community even threatened the state government of pulling the park’s special designation. “There had been a few years when park was in shambles. There was juliflora everywhere and no water in majority of park. A communique was received by government that the park’s designation as an international site of importance would be taken back. This would have sent a major blow to the image of the state and hastily orders were issued to remove juliflora and fill out the dykes with water,” officials said.
They added that although situation at present is not as bad, but if timely action is not taken, the coming winters may not see migratory birds visiting the place in good numbers. “All that would happen only if water is not made available,” officials added.
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 "Keoladeo Ghana National Park")
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