Wadhwana Lake Bird Count Halved, Officials Concerned

The once vibrant avian chorus at Wadhwana Lake has diminished, with the latest annual bird count revealing a concerning drop in migratory bird numbers. Officials recorded approximately 47,700 birds, a substantial decrease from the 95,000 counted in 2022, shortly after the wetland achieved Ramsar site status. This significant decline has prompted senior forest officials to explore measures to create a more favorable environment for the birds.

Conservator of Forests, Anshuman Sharma, explained that the varying water levels, maintained by the irrigation department for agricultural needs, are a key factor. Many migratory birds require shallow waters for foraging, but Wadhwana Lake consistently holds higher water levels. Efforts are underway to analyze these levels and develop strategies to attract more avian visitors in the future. Fluctuating water levels negatively impact aquatic plant growth, reducing food availability for birds, thus encouraging them to seek alternative wetlands. Duck species, for example, struggle to feed if the water is too deep, while waders need ample shallow marshy areas.