More than 90,000 migratory birds of over 90 completely different species from completely different nations, together with Siberia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Russia and different elements of the world arrive at the Harike wetland yearly. Image for Representation.
| Photo Credit: Kumar Akhilesh
Migratory birds from completely different nations have began arriving at Punjab’s Harike wetland, with round 40,000 winged guests reaching the northern India’s largest wetland thus far.
More than 90,000 migratory birds of over 90 completely different species from completely different nations, together with Siberia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Russia and different elements of the world arrive at the Harike wetland yearly after water our bodies get frozen in their native locations in winter.
Harike wetland, unfold over 86 sq. kilometers in Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, and Kapurthala districts, serves as a house to uncommon species of migratory water birds throughout the winter season.
The wetland is located on the confluence of Sutlej and Beas rivers.
According to an official of Punjab’s wildlife preservation division, round 40,000 migratory birds have thus far arrived at Harike wetland, which is also called ‘Hari Ke Pattan’.
The variety of migratory birds is anticipated to rise in the approaching weeks, mentioned the official.
Winged visitors like spoonbills, painted storks, coots, frequent pochard, ruddy shelduck, gadwall, bar headed geese, greylag geese and customary teal have arrived, mentioned Gitanjali Kanwar, coordinator, World Wild Fund for Nature (WWF) India.
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“Shoreline birds like gulls, terns, sandpipers and plovers are the first ones to arrive,” she additional mentioned.
“The migration of birds this time is a bit late but more birds will be arriving in the coming days,” she added.
“We are waiting for flocks of greylag geese and red-crested pochard. They have come but in small groups,” mentioned Kanwar.
The precise numbers of their arrival might be identified solely in January when the census of water birds will likely be carried out, mentioned Kanwar.Â
Migratory birds which arrive at Harike wetland keep until March.
Last 12 months, a complete of 74,869 migratory birds of 88 completely different species had arrived whereas in 2020, the variety of the winged guests was 91,025 belonging to 90 species.
A complete of 94,771 birds of 94 species had arrived at the wetland in 2018 and whereas in 2019, 1,23,128 winged guests of 83 completely different species had flown in.
Kanwar mentioned consciousness camps have been additionally organised for riparian communities which reside close to the wetland for his or her involvement in preserving the world of avian visitors.
The official of the wildlife preservation division mentioned patrolling groups have been deputed at Harike to verify poaching of migratory birds.
“Round-the-clock patrolling is undertaken. Patrolling is also done through motorboats,” mentioned the official.
The division has additionally deputed guides to facilitate vacationers.
Apart from the Harike wetland, migratory water birds additionally arrive at Keshopur Miani wetland, Nangal wetland, Ropar wetland, Kanjli wetland and Beas river wetland in the state.
