The Balikuda-Ersama coastline and its surrounding mangrove forest areas are resonating with thousands of fascinating winged visitors these days. Since the first week of November this year, winter migratory birds from foreign shores, especially Siberia, have been flocking to the region in large numbers every day, local sources said.
Over 10 to 20 species of migratory birds, including the billed pelican, sandpiper, coot, pintail, shovel and goodwill have been spotted in Baruan, Bandar and mangrove forest areas around Devi river mouth in Balikuda coast.
Apart from the migratory birds, the coastline and adjoining areas are also home to several species of Indian country birds including mynah, cormorant, tern, durango, babbler, blue jay, coal goose, heron, kingfisher, graylag goose and gosling.
It is strange that despite such a large number of migratory and country birds in the area the forest department has not appointed ornithologists or any other concerned personnel to initiate steps to educate the locals to stop poaching, start bird census of the avian guests visiting the area or conduct bird flu test.
Every year migratory birds fly thousands of miles in winter months to seek comfort in mangrove areas and the seashores and forest lands in Chilika Lake, Bhitarkanika National Park and Hirakud Dam reservoir in Odisha. The State forest department recognises their arrival but ironically, despite a large number of birds are coming to Balikuda and Ersama coastline in Jagatsinghpur district, it is yet to get official acknowledgment and necessary protection measures, the report said.
The coasts of Balikuda too offer the required conducive environment for the birds as there are a large number of fishes in vast expanse of Devi river mouth and paddy fields for them to feed on.
After the 1999 super cyclone the population of migratory birds had reduced immensely. Balidip Island near Jatadhari river mouth near Kujanga area also played host to the birds but this year it has not got any of them, the report added.
Kujanga forest department officials admit that some species of migratory birds were coming to Balidip Island every year but after the super cyclone there has been no report of birds coming there. Range officer Soubhagya Kumar Sahoo posted in Kujanga said that migratory birds have been spotted at Baruan and Bandar villages along the Balikuda coastline but the forest department has not received any official instruction for its census or protection owing to staff shortage.
One Pandav Jena of Bandar village said that the migratory birds started coming here from early November and problems for the local farmers have cropped up as most of the visiting birds are destroying paddy fields and prawn gheries. Unfortunately the forest department has not initiated any steps to save these rare bird species like they have been doing in Chilika and Bhitarkanika, he added ruefully.
Moreover, reports said that effluents from fertilizer plants in Paradip are polluting the sea water and as the degree of pollution is less in Balikuda coast, these avian guests are seen in this area. But the arrival of migratory birds continues to dwindle in Ersama coastline since the past few years, it added.
On the flip side, reports allege that poaching has been rampant and they are doing brisk business. According to the report, a migratory bird fetches Rs 20 to Rs 50 depending on its size and there is heavy demand of their meat in view of burgeoning prices of mutton and chicken.
Acting on media reports and complaints from villagers, the DFO, Bhitarkanika had visited the region last year for spot inquiry and found that migratory birds are really coming to the area besides Bhitarkanika and Chilika. But unfortunately nothing is being done in this regard to ensure a safe and conducive environment to the avian guests, another report alleged.
