Dharwad: The dry spell in North Karnataka has taken its toll on migratory birds and wildlife, forcing wild animals to enter human habitats triggering the man-animal conflict besides devastation of crops rarely growing in some parts of the region.
Black Winged Stilt
The number of winged visitors arriving from far off places and western countries has come down, thanks to the dried up lakes and wetlands which are ideal spots for their breeding. The Hubballi-Dharwad cities, which are dotted with picturesque lakes, were bio-diversity hotspots for a large number of migratory birds from western countries, till last year. Every winter, the arrival of avian visitors meant an increase in flow of ornithologists too.
Greater Flamingo
Flock of Greater Flamingoes
The Magadi lake in Gadag district and Attiveri Bird Sanctuary in Mundagod taluk have been attracting Bar-headed Geese (anser indicus) and several other species including the Grey Heron, Comb Duck, Eurasian Spoonbill and Painted Stork.
Northern Pin Tailed Duck
The Kelageri, Neerasagar, Honnapur and Navalur tanks in the district served as hotspots for nesting and breeding of birds such as Bar-headed Geese, Painted Storks, Pin-tailed Ducks, Australian Ducks, Little and Large Cormorants, White Ibis, Open Billed Storks, Spoon Bills, Pond Herons, Night Herons, Darters and little, medium and large Egrets. But over the years these visitors are spending less time in the region following polluted environment and dried up lakes.
These migratory birds from Ladakh, China and other countries would visit the lake during winter as farmers in the region grow groundnuts, the ideal food for them. This winter, Magadi Lake has almost dried up and the bird lovers lament on the lack of measures needed to improve the water body.
Pin Tailed Snipe
Avid bird watcher Harshavardhan Sheelavantar points out that lack of co-ordination among various government departments to revive these lakes was the reason for the bad situation. Desilting of lakes and clearing of encroachment and inlet blockages must be taken up on war footing.
Washing clothes, cattle and bathing inside the lakes must be avoided which results in the release of chemicals like phosphorous from detergent soaps, believed to be harmful to the breeding ground of the migratory birds.
The effect of urbanisation is such that normally lakes and their catchment areas in and around every city are identified to build new bus stops, malls among others to cope with the needs of future generations. Hassle free clearance was given in such cases. Though the High Court in 1998-99 had passed order against encroachment of lakes, the local administrations failed to implement it, he said.
