Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Thousands of flamingo nests found on the drying bed of Rajasthan’s Sambhar Lake have raised hopes that the wetland could be a successful breeding ground for the migratory birds outside Gujarat’s Rann of Kutch, news agency Press Trust of India reported.
Wildlife photographer and conservationist Gaurav Dadhich has claimed to have documented chicks hatching at the site for the first time. However, flamingo breeding at Sambhar is yet to be formally established through scientific documentation.
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Dadhich said he documented successful breeding at the lake in August, when more than 4,000 mud nests were found in an area that usually remains submerged.
“The discovery is significant as the Rann of Kutch in Gujarat has long been recognised as the principal breeding ground for flamingos in India while the Sambhar Lake has largely been regarded as a feeding and resting habitat,” he told PTI.
Sambhar is one of India’s most important inland saltwater wetlands. According to Dadhich, the nesting colony had about 3,000 to 3,500 nests of Lesser Flamingos and around 500 nests of Greater Flamingos.
He said he observed evidence of successful breeding involving more than 230 flamingos, including chicks, and recorded the development for a documentary.
“Flamingos have been observed nesting at Sambhar for years, but successful breeding had never been conclusively established. In August, I documented successful nesting and breeding here,” Dadhich said. He added that he was preparing a detailed account of his observations.
The development comes after comparatively low rainfall this year led to a sharp change in the lake’s water levels. Heavy rainfall last year had filled large stretches of Sambhar Lake and attracted substantial numbers of migratory flamingos. This year, receding water exposed large areas of the lakebed and revealed thousands of cone-shaped mud structures.
Dadhich said the nests were built in an area rarely accessed by people. Eggshells found on several structures indicated that eggs had been laid there. Flamingos carefully select nesting sites based on soil conditions, water retention and the availability of food for their chicks.
He said the observations suggested that Sambhar offered suitable conditions for flamingos to reproduce, rather than merely serving as a seasonal feeding ground.
Forest officer Rahul Jhanjhadia told PTI that deficient rainfall had considerably lowered the lake’s water levels and that the arrival of migratory birds was currently below usual levels.
He said the forest department had begun preparations for the migratory bird season, including steps to prevent a recurrence of botulism outbreaks that affected birds at the lake in previous years.
A meeting of stakeholders was held in Sambhar on October 8. It was attended by representatives of the municipality, Sambhar Salts, which operates the lake, and the electricity and animal husbandry departments. An awareness workshop was also organised as part of the preparations.
Jhanjhadia said officials had been instructed to conduct a monthly bird census from October to February to identify and monitor migratory species arriving at the lake. The forest department will also increase surveillance during the migration season and ensure that birdwatching and tourism activities do not disturb the birds or damage their habitat.
The discovery of thousands of nests and evidence of chicks has indicated possible successful flamingo breeding at Sambhar Lake, though this is yet to be formally confirmed through scientific documentation. Authorities are monitoring migratory birds and taking steps to protect them and their habitat during the season.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
