Pong wetland records dip in migratory bird count, surge in species diversity
Bar-headed goose spotted at sanctuary after 15 years during annual census
The Pong Wetland Wildlife Sanctuary has recorded a decline in the number of migratory birds even though there has been a rise in the number of species, the annual census has indicated.
As per the annual census of migratory and local birds that concluded late last evening, 1,24,344 migratory birds of 115 species were recorded at the sanctuary this year, compared to 1,53,719 birds of 97 species last time. A major decline was recorded in the arrival of bar-headed geese, as the number came down to 62,293 compared to 90,959 last year.
The bird census was conducted by officials of the wildlife wing of the state Forest Department with the support of trained bird watchers and local volunteers.
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Prior to the census, a workshop was organised to sensitise the stakeholders. The sanctuary area was divided into sectors to ensure a comprehensive coverage. The workshop was presided over by the Chief Conservator Forest (CCF), Wildlife, Saurabh Bhail Patel and 25 teams consisting of 95 bird and wildlife experts were deployed for the census.
Significantly, a migratory bar-headed goose came to the Pong wetland after 15 years as it was identified by the counting staff from a collar ID ‘H74’ on its neck, which had been put in 2011.
The collar was found intact by the staff. The CCF said the count of the migratory birds this year was: bar-headed geese — 62,293, Eurasian coot — 12,118, northern pintail — 11,928, common till — 7,265, little cormorant — 4,544, common pochard — 3,522, gray leg goose — 3,242, great cormorant — 1,663, Russian vision — 1,658, northern shoveler — 1,512, river turn — 1,179 and others — 13,420.
The Pong Wildlife Sanctuary continues to serve as a critical wintering ground for migratory birds, which come here from Central Asia, Tibet, Siberia, Russia and Trans-Himalayan region. Pong Wetland, a Ramsar Site of International Importance, remains one of the most important water bird habitats in north India.
Asked about the reasons behind the decline in number of migratory bird count this year, Reginald Royston, Divisional Forest Officer, Wildlife, Hamirpur, said the main factors were lack of snowfall in upper reaches, high water level at Pong Wetland and prolonged dry spell in the region.
He said the arrival of the migratory birds was very low a month ago, but their influx increased after the snowfall and rain an increase.
