Govt indifferent to ‘flight’ of birds

ABDUL WAHAB KHAN | NT
Staff Reporter
PANAJI
Panaji is a home to a large number of residents and migratory birds. But no government agency is committed to conservation of avian species in the state capital, which is rolling up its sleeves to be a smart city.
The laidback approach and ignorance of officials in the forest department and the Goa State Biodiversity Board are proving to be risky to bird habitats.
The forest department has claimed recording sightings of bird species in wildlife sanctuaries, while the GSBB has said that conducting surveys on birds is out of its purview.
A city-based wildlife conservation NGO ‘Goa Bird Conservation Network’ has said that though bird habitats have not been endangered by rapid construction activities and urbanisation but the situation is not that good for birds, calling for an all-needed exhaustive study.
Stressing on the need for studies to assess ‘loss’ of city bird habitats to development, GBCN president Parag Ragnekar said the loss of the habitat could be ascertained by a comprehensive study. A five-year-long survey should be carried out by government agencies collecting data on different species of birds migrating to the state. The study should assess impact of environmental changes on their habitats.
The survey will also help in policymaking, he added.
City-based bird watchers have observed that there has been a decline in sightings of migratory bird species like thick-knee, and commonly found species of parrot like Parakeet and resident bird like sparrows.
“We have been observing a decline in bird migration due to pollution and construction activities which affect their habitats. They need our care and support to survive, said Omkar Dharwadkar, a GBCN member and Goa state reviewer for e-Bird, an international web portal.
Over 165 bird species, including resident and migratory birds, have been observed flying in and around the city.
Panaji is a home to several exotic birds like cormorant, little egret, Indian Golden oriole, lesser golden back woodpecker, spotted dove, Brahminy kite, Greater coucal, Common Kingfisher, white browed bulbul, Magpie robbin and near to extinct species like lesser adjutant stork.
Data gathered and compiled from individual bird watchers for e-Bird have identified ten hotspots across the city and its outskirts.
The polluted St Inez creek near Dukle Heaven has been listed as being a home to as many as 98 bird species, while the area near Kala Academy is a heaven for 37 avian species.
Recent list shows that 165 bird species were spotted along the interior road from Bhatlem to Taleigao.
At least 162 bird species were sighted flying and breeding at the Goa University plateau.
The plateau area at Dona Paula, which has not seen much construction activities, is still visited by birds such as Ashy-crowned Finch Lark. At least 76 bird species were sighted there.
The mudflat at the Ribandar causeway was recorded with around 91 bird species.
The least number of bird species was listed at Nagalli to Caranzalem road with 25 bird species.
Goa is home to over 450 bird species, including 13 of the 24 species endemic to the Western Ghats. This has happened due to its mangroves-lined estuaries and marshes, the central dry, rocky plateau, and the undulating forested interior.
Goa has four important bird areas identified by the global programme of the Bombay Natural History Society in association with Britain’s Bird Life International. They are Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary, Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary, Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary and Carambolim Lake, in addition to the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary.