Experts concerned with migratory birds’ arrival in Jodhpur wetlands
JODHPUR: After the crow deaths reported in western Rajasthan, experts are concerned with the arrival of migratory birds in the wetlands of Jodhpur. This is particularly because there is a tradition of putting grains for the birds leading them to a common feeding point.
“We have alerted the field staff and wildlife lovers. In case of unnatural death of migratory birds, it has been advised to stop putting grains at the feeding point to check the spread of infectious disease, if any,” said Mahesh Chaudhary, deputy conservator of forest (Wildlife).
Bird flu has not yet been confirmed in the birds found dead in Bhomiyaji Ka Thanh, Chaupasni and Lalsagar in Jodhpur city, however, the wildlife department is constantly monitoring the wetlands and bird-fed areas, he added.
The Thar desert is a paradise for birds, particularly for the migratory Demoiselle crane. The Demoiselle crane is the smallest of 15 crane species in the world, commonly called Kurjaa. Flocks of Demoiselle crane fly in from Siberia over the Tibetan highlands in China to the Himalayas every year during winter.
These cranes are regularly sighted at Chugga Ghar, village pond, Malar Rann (Salt Pan) and Bap Rann of Khinchan in Jodhpur.
According to a recent study at Jai Narain Vyas University ‘Eternal Attachment of Demoiselle Crane (Anthropoides virgo) to the Thar Desert of Rajasthan’, Kurjaa travel to Khinchan reguand their number is increasing every year owing to the unique community effort.
Veterinary officer Dr. Shrawansingh Rathore, from wildlife department, said, “Although bird flu has not yet been found in migratory birds, placing grains at a common point should be avoided to check the risk of infection.”
According to experts, after the Central government’s confirmation of the return of bird flu virus with migratory birds, vigilance will have to be stepped up over the wetlands of western Rajasthan.
Dr Hemsingh Gehlot, assistant professor, zoology department of JNVU, said that the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change has issued guidelines for monitoring migratory birds, according to which all
MAHESH CHAUDHARY, deputy conservator of forest
the states have been asked to prepare an action plan.
“Surveillance should not be restricted to the Protected Areas alone, but to all such wetlands and habitats that provide staging grounds to the migrating birds and to areas where there is a possibility of interaction of migratory birds with poultry. Intensive surveillance should be undertaken to look for any unreasonable bird behaviour or death,” the guidelines stated.
Dr. Sanjeev Kumar, officer-incharge of the Desert Regional Centre of the Zoological Survey of India, said, 40 to 50 species of migratory birds arrive on the wetlands of western Rajasthan in winter.
He said that in general, distance from these birds should be maintained, so that they can feed themselves naturally.
Now that the alert regarding bird flu has been sounded, there should be no human intervention and the entire protocol must be adhered to.