Increasing human activities in Loktak likely to decrease migratory birds count

Jeijei Newme

IMPHAL | Dec 19

Wildlife enthusiasts fear that this year, the count of migratory birds in and around Loktak Lake may decrease as compared to recent years.

Migratory birds come to the state every October till early March with December and January as the peak season.

In an interview with Imphal Free Press, chief conservator of forests, Forest headquarter of Sanjenthong, Anurag Bajpai said that these migratory birds are mainly of duck family. They come looking for suitable environment at this area from Tibet, Siberia, China and Europe.

As many as 60 species of birds have been recorded so far with the most common bird as Whistling Teal (Tingri), Mandarin Ducks, Shelduck, Ibis and Grey Leg Geese.

Sony Meitei, assistant professor of Moirang College and also a member of Indian Bird Conservation Network said that the number of migratory birds have been decreasing with each passing year.

He cited human settlement and economic activities as the main reasons for being unfriendly to annual winged guests.

He also said that the nightlife of Loktak Lake with LED lights also caused the birds to skip this place.

R.K, Birjit Singh, ornithologist said that the problem which has been further and seriously complicated by using of LED (Light Emitting Diode) lights for fishing in the lake has dwindled the population of water birds including those of migratory species from 47,088 with 68 species in 2016 to hardly 5,000 with 17 species in January, 2017. “It seems that now they have diverted their migratory routes into a marginal habitat where it may succumb to predation, starvation or death,” he added.

Anurag Bajpai cited that the decrease in number of migratory birds could probably because of three reasons. The high water level of Loktak Lake this year which is caused by three floods and Ithai barrage may disrupt the population of migratory birds count.

He said that these birds like shallow waters and as this year’s water is not shallow, they might skip this place.

Anurag said that Ithai barrage also block the food essential to these birds from the source i.e. Irrawaddy river, so without food, there cannot be a habitat, same as human beings.

Citing the third reason, he said that fishing at night using LED lights disturbs the sleep and peaceful environment of the birds. So with all these disturbances, these birds may have skipped this place resulting to decrease in numbers at Loktak.

He said that the actual result will be seen in the census of birds taken usually in January, peak timing of migratory birds settlement.

The chief conservator said that the cycle of migratory birds is important for human beings and is actually a complex eco-system. If they stopped coming, there can be a major change in the environment system.

The birds need fish and so do human with the birds, as they usually come and help in harvest.

Saving the environment for the birds is a need of the hour before unfavourable change of environment happens in and around Loktak Lake, he pointed out. “It is our duty and responsibility to give a conducive environment to our annual guests” he added.

He also said that there is a plan to convert the lake into a conservation site in the form of community reserves.

As a department, he said that it is trying to make this negative change in the environment stop through social fencing by organising awareness campaigns, mainly targeting students and youths. It also holds meetings with village leaders and influential decision makers for attitudinal change.

For protection measures, he said its staffs are alert enough and besides that police and court are also cooperative enough in giving deserved judgement and punishment.

Anurag also said that local birds are equally important and need to be protected from further extinction from the state.

Jeijei Newme

IMPHAL | Dec 19

Wildlife enthusiasts fear that this year, the count of migratory birds in and around Loktak Lake may decrease as compared to recent years.

Migratory birds come to the state every October till early March with December and January as the peak season.

In an interview with Imphal Free Press, chief conservator of forests, Forest headquarter of Sanjenthong, Anurag Bajpai said that these migratory birds are mainly of duck family. They come looking for suitable environment at this area from Tibet, Siberia, China and Europe.

As many as 60 species of birds have been recorded so far with the most common bird as Whistling Teal (Tingri), Mandarin Ducks, Shelduck, Ibis and Grey Leg Geese.

Sony Meitei, assistant professor of Moirang College and also a member of Indian Bird Conservation Network said that the number of migratory birds have been decreasing with each passing year.

He cited human settlement and economic activities as the main reasons for being unfriendly to annual winged guests.

He also said that the nightlife of Loktak Lake with LED lights also caused the birds to skip this place.

R.K, Birjit Singh, ornithologist said that the problem which has been further and seriously complicated by using of LED (Light Emitting Diode) lights for fishing in the lake has dwindled the population of water birds including those of migratory species from 47,088 with 68 species in 2016 to hardly 5,000 with 17 species in January, 2017. “It seems that now they have diverted their migratory routes into a marginal habitat where it may succumb to predation, starvation or death,” he added.

Anurag Bajpai cited that the decrease in number of migratory birds could probably because of three reasons. The high water level of Loktak Lake this year which is caused by three floods and Ithai barrage may disrupt the population of migratory birds count.

He said that these birds like shallow waters and as this year’s water is not shallow, they might skip this place.

Anurag said that Ithai barrage also block the food essential to these birds from the source i.e. Irrawaddy river, so without food, there cannot be a habitat, same as human beings.

Citing the third reason, he said that fishing at night using LED lights disturbs the sleep and peaceful environment of the birds. So with all these disturbances, these birds may have skipped this place resulting to decrease in numbers at Loktak.

He said that the actual result will be seen in the census of birds taken usually in January, peak timing of migratory birds settlement.

The chief conservator said that the cycle of migratory birds is important for human beings and is actually a complex eco-system. If they stopped coming, there can be a major change in the environment system.

The birds need fish and so do human with the birds, as they usually come and help in harvest.

Saving the environment for the birds is a need of the hour before unfavourable change of environment happens in and around Loktak Lake, he pointed out. “It is our duty and responsibility to give a conducive environment to our annual guests” he added.

He also said that there is a plan to convert the lake into a conservation site in the form of community reserves.

As a department, he said that it is trying to make this negative change in the environment stop through social fencing by organising awareness campaigns, mainly targeting students and youths. It also holds meetings with village leaders and influential decision makers for attitudinal change.

For protection measures, he said its staffs are alert enough and besides that police and court are also cooperative enough in giving deserved judgement and punishment.

Anurag also said that local birds are equally important and need to be protected from further extinction from the state.

Read more / Original news source: http://www.ifp.co.in/item/5977-increasing-human-activities-in-loktak-likely-to-decrease-migratory-birds-count