River Tern takes a Sukhna turn

The Times of India , Tuesday, January 07, 2014
Correspondent : Manokriti Bedi,
CHANDIGARH: At the entrance to the rowing canal of Sukhna Lake, a bird with an exotic bill was weaving through the lines of competitive rowers. The bird's yellow bill distinguished by a smaller upper part was diligently ploughing through the water for fish. The bird was a rare River Tern bird, popularly known as Ganga Cheel, which had gone extinct and in November 2013, the International Union for Conservation of Nature had put its name in the red list.

These birds were generally seen in Afghanistan, Vietnam and Iran, but due to construction activities these species had started rapidly declining. The River Tern's sighting at Sukhna Lake on Sunday is first sighting of this bird in the Tricity.

Kuldeep Kumar, deputy conservative of forest, said, "River Tern feeds by plunge-diving for fish, tadpoles and aquatic insects in rivers, lakes and water tanks. This species breeds from March to May in colonies in less accessible areas such as sandbanks in rivers. Its numbers are decreasing is due to pollution of their habitat, Habitat destruction and the larger effects of climate change are among the most prominent factors responsible for its condition."

He added, "Sukhna Lake is an ideal place for them and as it has forest cover and these birds feed by plunge-diving for fish that is easily available in Sukhna. The extinction of these birds was quiet rapid, so it is a good thing that they have been sighted in Sukhna."

 
SOURCE : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/River-Tern-takes-a-Sukhna-turn/articleshow/28492276.cms
 


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