DEHRADUN: The Asan Conservation Reserve has turned into an ideal roosting place for birds this winter, thanks to the silt deposits that have formed mud flats (sand islands dotting in the river) in the reservoir. What's more, these mud flats support a variety of vegetation, including grasslands.
A few years ago, these mud flats did not exist. The birds could not be sighted clearly. Now, tourists can click pictures of a variety of avians, and birders can observe them as well.
One has only to go there and spot the feathered creatures. The strikingly beautiful Ruddy Sheldock birds, also known as Surkhab, which is the logo bird of the ACR, can be seen taking a nap on these mud flats. On another island, flocks of the Common Coot species their trademark silver beak and black feathers can be seen chattering away. Bar Headed Goose, Mallard, Northern Pingtail and other colourful birds are there to be captured on camera.
However, the irrigation department is bent upon playing spoilsport in this paradise for birds. It wants to clear the silt that has formed the mud banks. Forest department officials and bird-watchers are aghast by the department's plan.
"There is a diversion reservoir in ACR. The Yamuna channel and Asan river merge into ACR which is then diverted toward Kulhal barrage of the state and Khara barrage of UP. We explained to the irrigation department who were keen on clearing the silt not do so as these mud flats are a resting place for the water birds. The silt should not be a subject of concern for the diversion of reservoir water," said Dhananjay Mohan, bird specialist forest official.
Diwakar Sinha, divisional forest official of Chakrata, said the mud flats were formed as a result of monsoon variations and silt deposition in a natural way. The grass has grown in the surroundings. These are healthy signs as the ideal habitat is coming into shape for the water birds.
The forest department has already cleared large tracts of grass growing on the mud flats to create space for the birds.
Protecting these birds is a major concern for the foresters. The birds roosting here are susceptible to poaching as a busy road passes through its bordering area. The department itself is short of adequate armed man-power to keep a watch on the birds. Besides, foresters need lack of watch towers to keep vigil.
That the birds are on poachers' radar was clear when on December 26, three men from Himachal Pradesh had shot four Ruddy Sheldocks.
