Wetlands facing threat in India

SHIMLA: Basai Wetland of Gurgaon in Haryana, one of the important bird areas of country, is facing threat of being lost forever. Located close to national capital Delhi, migratory bird count of this wetland has shown a decline, mainly because of habitat loss due to human encroachment.
A study conducted by Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) has revealed that at least 10 Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) - as they are now called globally - are in serious danger of being lost forever.
BNHS-India's studies have regularly highlighted that various species and habitats across India are increasingly threatened due to unsustainable developmental practices being followed for decades. Rising insensitivity of people towards nature has added to the problem. Rapid urbanisation is one of the reasons for the decline in bird populations. Several water bodies in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, which used to attract migratory birds, have also dried up, said the study.
In Basai Wetland of many threatened species of birds are reported including the Marbled Teal (Marmaronetta angustirostris), Sarus Crane (Grus antigone), Black-necked Stork (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus), Ferruginous Pochard (Aythya nyroca), and Asian Dowitcher (Limnodromus semipalmatus).
"Flamingos and Common Crane, which were once commonly sighted in this wetland, have declined in numbers. Also, the population of the state bird of Haryana, the Black Francolin (Francolinus francolinus), has reduced owing to unfavourable alterations in its habitat," report added.
Studies and monitoring across India by BNHS has shown that Flamingo City, Kachchh in Gujarat, Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary, Solapur/Ahmednagar in Maharashtra, Sewri-Mahul Creek, Mumbai in Maharashtra, Sailana Kharmor Sanctuary, Ratlam in Madhya Pradesh, Tillangchong in Andaman-Nicobar, Dihaila Jheel, Shivpuri in Madhya Pradesh, Karera Wildlife Sanctuary, Shivpuri in Madhya Pradesh, Basai, Gurgaon, in Haryana, Sardarpur Florican Sanctuary, Dhar in Madhya Pradesh and Ranebennur, Haveri in Karnataka are among the most threatened habitats in the country.
"These are areas that cover habitats such as coastal and inland wetlands, grasslands and forests, which are at the greatest risk of losing their key biodiversity. Many other IBAs, although not on this list, are also threatened by various types of unsustainable human interference. Most of these IBAs also provide for ecosystem services such as water supply for drinking and agriculture, tourism potential and natural pest control, if managed sustainably," report said.
Some of the major reasons behind the loss of biodiversity and habitat in these and other areas are destruction or disturbance due to infrastructure development, wrong anti-people conservation policies, Indiscriminate livestock grazing beyond traditional pastoral lands, Industrial and sewage pollution, Indiscriminate agricultural expansion including use of pesticides, Rapid urbanization and Poaching.
Commenting on the issue, Dr Raju Kasambe, Project Manager, IBA Programme, BNHS said, "Unfortunately in India, nearly 50% of the IBAs are not getting any sort of official recognition from the government agencies. These are the areas which need utmost and urgent protection, if we are really serious about saving the threatened species of birds in India. Our future generations will never pardon us for destroying the important habitats of birds in such a callous manner."
Global Picture: IBAs are places of international significance for the conservation of the world's birds and other biodiversity. At present 356 of the 12,000 IBAs are in danger across 122 countries and territories. About half of these are legally protected. Conservation of IBAs will directly help in tackling problems such as habitat loss, ensuring sustainable resource use and controlling climate change.