What were the key findings of the Okhla Bird Sanctuary census?

The Okhla Bird Sanctuary census recorded over 15,500 birds from 101 species, including a large number of ducks and gulls.

What threats were identified by birders at Okhla and Surajpur wetlands?

Birders identified river pollution, waste dumping, kite strings, and human disturbances as major threats to these wetlands.

How many birds were counted during the Yamuna floodplain census?

Over 9,000 birds were counted along a 22-km stretch of the Yamuna floodplain between Wazirabad and Okhla Barrages.

Home / Environment / Bird Census Reveals Threats to Wetlands

Bird Census Reveals Threats to Wetlands

13 Jan

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Summary

Okhla Bird Sanctuary recorded over 15,500 birds of 101 species.
Pollution and human disturbances threaten Okhla and Surajpur wetlands.
Yamuna floodplain census counted over 9,000 birds amidst threats.

A recent bird census, coordinated with Wetlands International South Asia and utilizing the eBird platform, documented over 15,500 birds across 101 species at Okhla Bird Sanctuary. Among the findings were nearly 9,000 ducks and coots, alongside various gull species. Despite these significant numbers, birdwatchers expressed concerns about pressing local threats that endanger the sanctuary's avian population.

These threats include pervasive river water pollution, particularly from the Yamuna, kite strings, cattle grazing, and the dumping of construction and plastic waste. Similar issues of waste dumping were identified at Surajpur wetlands, where over 6,000 birds of 83 species were recorded. Birders emphasized that even small protections can help ecosystems thrive, urging for more official recognition for wetlands.

The census also covered a 22-km stretch of the Yamuna floodplain, counting over 9,000 birds. Major threats identified here included sand mining, habitat degradation, construction waste, and declining water quality from sewage and agrochemical runoff. Future censuses are planned for other wetlands, continuing the annual effort coordinated across several countries.