Requiem for Sukhna Lake geese : The Tribune India

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Requiem for Sukhna Lake geese

Back in December 1959, I had first heard a skein of geese in flight overhead and then noticed them dropping height and folding their wings, as is the wont of birds preparatory to landing on terra firma. I had known of Sukhna Lake in the making and out of curiosity drove to the bund near the water regulator gates. It gladdened my heart to spot several flocks of the graylag geese bobbing on water, like toy boats.

Requiem for Sukhna Lake geese


Lieut-Gen Baljit Singh (retd)

Back  in December 1959, I had first heard a skein of geese in flight overhead and then noticed them dropping height and folding their wings, as is the wont of birds preparatory to landing on terra firma. I had known of Sukhna Lake in the making and out of curiosity drove to the bund near the water regulator gates. It gladdened my heart to spot several flocks of the graylag geese bobbing on water, like toy boats.

When we finally dropped anchor at Chandigarh in 2001, Sukhna Lake was home not only to several species of resident Shorebirds and Waders but also a significant number of migratory water birds. In addition, there were six domesticated geese introduced by SK Sharma, an enthusiastic amateur naturalist. Now sometime early in 2002, this gentleman happened to be in Geneva where on a lake-side garden he was charmed by the sight of geese congregations on the lawns against the back-drop of rose-beds and the lake. So back in Chandigarh, he set about purchasing and plundering birds from village ponds in the vicinity of Chandigarh. When his home could accommodate no more, the geese and their pen were arbitrarily installed under a shady spot at the Rose Garden, Sector 16.

With such rapid changes of living-environment, the flock appeared bewildered when we chanced upon them during the morning walk. So, our first concern was to ensure their interim well-being and ultimately shift them to a suitable water-body. In the meantime, the geese were quick to spot the large pool around the water jet fountain. It was a pretty sight to see them run on their webbed feet with waddling gait till they plunged into the shallow pool. And only then were they truly happy and in their elements. The initial excitement over, we were now seized of the fact that they are incapable of clambering up the vertical walls of the cemented pool. With promises of reward, water was got filled to the brim and in the process learnt not to seek help from bureaucrats as one of them had threatened to impound the birds with the SPCA! 

Having weighed all options for a permanent home for the geese, we settled for Sukhna Lake. The last act will have to be accomplished with the speed and "daring" of a commando raid. The rear seat of a Maruti Van was removed. The two of us and three domestic staff entered their pen soon after dusk, the protesting birds were caught in twos and threes and loaded inside the van. Despite the cacophony and the struggle put up by the birds, in about 45 minutes all geese and two maids were safely "stuffed" inside the van. In a situation of this nature, birds have fortunately the good sense to becalm themselves, probably concentrating on what may happen next. 

On reaching the lake, we pretending not to have noticed the policemen on duty, reversed the van swiftly onto the pavement and up to the steps leading down to the lake water. As I lifted up the rear door, and before the maids or we could move out of the way, the 28 geese shot out over and in-between us and in a flash slithered into the bosom of Sukhna Lake! The crowd stared at our dishevelled hair and crumpled clothes, amply splattered with the watery geese-goo, in utter disbelief. 

Today, those geese have multiplied close to 100 and were a joy to watch until reports of bird flu appeared and it is sad to read in The Tribune that so many will have to be culled. 

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