Pune: Fewer Migratory Birds Flock To Ujani Dam This Winter
Pune: Fewer Migratory Birds Flock To Ujani Dam This Winter
The Ujani dam catchment area, a popular wintering ground for migratory birds, has witnessed a decline in the number of feathered visitors this season. Experts attribute the drop in numbers to the higher backwaters level, resulting from good rainfall during the last monsoon.
According to naturalists, the lack of a visible shoreline and mudflats has reduced the feeding ground for many bird species, especially waders. The higher water level has also led to the distribution of birds across the area, making it seem like there are fewer birds than last year.
Conservationist Sandip Nagare, who owns Agnipankha, an organization that conducts boat tours for bird watching in Kumbhargaon, told Pune Pulse, “This season, the numbers of migratory birds may appear low, but as per my records, last year the water level was just 30%, whereas this year it’s 70%. Hence, birds are divided into various parts and hands, and people are thinking that this time birds are coming less. But according to me, and as per our calculations and boat counts, there are more birds than last year, but they are all segregated, and people think that birds have been reduced.”
Kumbhargaon, located about 120 km from Pune, is considered a birder’s paradise, attracting enthusiasts to spot Greater Flamingos that migrate from Gujarat and parts of Africa. Bird watchers have been visiting the area, and while some have reported fewer sightings, others remain optimistic about the arrival of more migratory birds.
The Ujani dam catchment area provides a vital habitat for migratory birds, and despite the challenges posed by the higher water level, conservation efforts continue to ensure the protection of these birds and their habitats.
