Increased bird diversity at Agra’s Sur Sarovar this year
Hemendra Chaturvedi
The recently held Asian Water bird Census (AWC) 2021 has found that Sur Sarovar Wildlife Sanctuary in Agra recorded increased water bird diversity this year. However, due to fluctuating water level in Sur Sarovar, many of the migratory major species did not arrive.
TK Roy , ecologist and conservationist, AWC Delhi and state coordinator of Wetlands International informed that the census was done between January 2 to 17 this year in 27 countries simultaneously across Asia and Australasia.
“AWC supports conservation of wetlands and water birds worldwide. AWC data helps to promote the designation and management of internationally important sites such as nationally protected areas, Ramsar Sites (wetlands of international importance) , IBA (increased bird diversity at Agra’s Sur Sarovar this year )Sites and also helps in identifying and protecting new sites of importance for water birds. The results of the census and information are also used to promote national water bird and wetland conservation and international cooperation along the Central Asian Flyway and East Asian – Australasian Flyway,” informed Roy.
“Due to global climate change impact, this year there was delayed winter, slow and late migration and arrival of lesser number of winter migratory water birds from Central and North Asia, including Russia and Siberia, in comparison to previous years,” informed Roy.
“Sur Sarovar Wildlife Sanctuary in Agra is a unique wetland located on the bank of river Yamuna. It is one of 467 IBA Sites in India having rich birdlife diversity, especially for winter migratory birds for congregation, roosting and nesting/breeding habitat where resident species breed thousands in numbers during summer-monsoon period and is also a newly designated Ramsar Site in India,” he said. “In collaboration with National Chambal Sanctuary Project, Uttar Pradesh Wildlife Department and in active participation of the volunteers from Dr B R Ambedkar University, Agra, Wildlife SOS, Agra, Biodiversity Research & Development Society, Agra and sanctuary wildlife staff, AWC 2021 was successfully carried out at Sur Sarovar Bird Sanctuary this year,” said Roy.