Nor rivers, neither the gusts of winds or the borders can stop them, birds travel far and wide fluttering their wings to their heart’s accord. With the commencement of a fresh winter spell in the Indian subcontinent, the country welcomes vibrant and chirpy birds who travel several miles to reach India in the months of September-October.
India: a key habitat for about 460 species of migratory birds
India is a key habitat for about 460 species of migratory birds. About 175 species of migratory birds travel long-distances via the Central Asian Flyway (CAF). Much like highways, birds have flyways, that they use for migration. The birds which use CAF include Egyptian Vultures, Plovers, Ducks, Storks, Ibises, Flamingoes, Pochards, Sociable Lapwing, European Roller, Eurasian Golden Oriole, etc.
Lakhs of migratory birds visit famous Indian wetlands during the winter season:
The number of migratory birds visiting the famous Chilika lake increased to 11,05,040 last winter with an increase of about 57,000 migratory birds as compared to the previous year.
In addition to the increase in the no of feathered guests, new species of migratory birds could also be sighted at the vast lake last winter.
Steps taken by the government towards protection of our dear guests, the migratory birds:
As per the statement laid by Babul Supriyo, MOS, Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change in a Lok Sabha session held in Feb 2021, the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change provides financial assistance to the States/UTs for the protection of migratory birds and their habitats under the Centrally Sponsored Schemes –Development of Wildlife Habitat.
i.) Several important habitats of migratory birds have been declared as Protected Areas.
ii.) Rare & endangered migratory species of birds found in India, like Black Necked Crane, Great Indian Bustard, Bar Headed Geese, Himalayan Griffon, SarusCranes, HoubaraBustard, etc. have been listed under Schedule-I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, thereby providing the highest degree of protection.
iii.) A Central Asian Flyway National Action Plan (2018-2023) was launched in 2018 with the goal of conserving migratory birds and their habitats.
iv.) To further strengthen the conservation of migratory birds, notification of Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) issued by the government around many National Parks and Sanctuaries under the provisions of the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
v.) India is a signatory to the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) and has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on conservation of species including Siberian Cranes, Raptorsetc.
vi.) The Ministry has also notified the Wetlands Conservation and Management Rules, 2017 for the conservation of all wetlands in the country which are the breeding grounds of a large number of migratory birds.
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