Urban migration? Not anymore for Bangalore birds
Last Updated : 16 Feb 2011 10:14:28 AM IST
BANGALORE: Bangalore has seen a drastic dip in the number of migratory birds over the last decade, according to ornithologists and bird watchers. Biodiversity expert and ornithologist Harish Bhat who, along with four other scientists took up a project to study the bird population of the city in 2000, says, “Over the years, loss of habitat, food and shelter have accelerated the process. Of the 120 bird species, around 25 per cent are no longer seen in Bangalore.”The months from November to April are the peak time for migratory birds, especially from Europe, America and Afghanistan, to flock to the city.According to the study, Nagawara Lake saw around 8,000 migratory birds of seven species in 2003 winter. But now, they have stopped coming here and are instead seen in the outskirts, especially Doddballapur, Bhat said.Ornithologist and environmentalist M B Krishna said that Bangalore has lost more greenery in the last three years than it has lost in the pervious 30 years.“Consequently, there has been a tremendous decrease in bird population, including both migratory and resident breeding species,” he said.He said the loss of lakes — more than two thirds have been lost — and the loss of a sloping shoreline in the existing lakes, have virtually made many water birds, especially migratory ones, disappear.Ornithologist and city-based bird watcher Dr Subramanya said Hebbal Lake used to be a major shoreline for these migratory birds. “There were around 8,000-10,000 Shovellers and Garganey and other species of ducks, but this year I noticed that there were not even 100 of them. Yelahanka Lake is no different,” he said. “In Lalbagh Lake, we used to see about 2,000 Garganies but for the past two years hardly any can be seen,” he said.On the plan to revamp the shorelines around lakes, an engineer from the Lake Development Authority, on condition of anonymity, said: “As of now there are no such plans.”
Topics: