VISAKHAPATNAM: Coastal Andhra Pradesh and the surrounding areas are losing their lure for migratory birds, with the number of avian visitors falling by 20% over the last decade, according to ornithologists.
Some species that could be sighted a few years ago are no longer seen, while others are endangered because of the destructive human activities that have led to the loss of their habitat, said ornithologists.
Migratory birds, especially wetland birds, come to the country every year from places such as Siberia and other north European countries for resting, feeding, breeding and nesting, especially during winter.
However, destructive human activity, including land reclamation, deforestation and encroachment of water bodies and poaching, as well as the indirect influence of climate change, have led to the degradation and fragmentation of their habitat.
"The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and organisations involved in the study of African and Eurasian migratory water birds have found a trend of an overall decline of about 20% in migratory birds and have, therefore, emphasised on the conservation of their habitat to preserve the birds. Cooperation among governments is required for this," said zoologist and bird lover Prof Baratha Lakshmi, who is the dean of Andhra University's college development council.
The places in the state and nearby areas that are visited by wetland migratory birds include Kondakarla Lake in Vizag district, the steel plant and airport drainage canal, Telinellapuram, Naupada swamp near Srikakulum, Kolleru in East Godavari, Pulikat near the Tamil Nadu border, and Chilka in Odisha.
"However, over the last five to 10 years, certain birds have stopped coming to Andhra Pradesh. Large cranes, pink-headed duck and spoon-billed sandpiper, which used to be sighted in Kondakarla Lake, are not seen anymore. Mountain quails too have almost become extinct. Kolleru Lake, which used to be a paradise for birds, especially pelicans, is another spot that is badly affected by encroachment and poaching," she said.
"Birds are the indicators of the health of the surrounding environment. Their diminishing numbers show that the equilibrium in the environment, biodiversity, and food chain has been affected. Conservation of the feeding, nesting and breeding sites of the birds is, therefore, crucial. The protection of connected sites or stopovers, where these migratory birds take rest for 10-15 days in the course of their journey, is also equally important," she said.
