New Delhi: In the northwest Delhi’s Garhimandu city forest, the number of bird species found in the area has dropped by more than half since 2014, according to an annual bird census conducted in February.
The 300-hectare forest on the banks of Yamuna was once home to nearly a half of bird species seen in Delhi-NCR, ecologist and conservationist T.K. Roy said. He added the surrounding natural wetland has started to dry up.
“The population pressure is growing. The dried-up wetland has now turned into a playground for children. I saw people putting fire in forest so they can grow grass for grazing cattle. Many people also come here for running or jogging,” Mr Roy said. Mr Roy said the on-ground habitat disruption has spelt a doom for the once thriving biodiversity in the “reserved” forest.
Of the 250 bird species found in Delhi-NCR region, around 120 were recorded in the area till 2014, say birders. Big Bird Day 2017, one of the latest survey conducted by a team of birders in the first week of February, recorded only 51 bird species — 11 species of water and wetland-dependent birds and 40 species of terrestrial birds. Another survey, Delhi Bird Race (2017), which concluded last week, recorded barely 45 bird species – 13 species of water and wetland-dependent birds and 31 species of terrestrial birds.
The two censuses didn’t record endangered birds — Painted Stork, Ferruginous Duck and Oriental Darter — that were sighted in 2014 and 2015. The plantation drive by the Delhi forest department has failed to offset the extreme human interference, Mr Roy said.
Winter migratory water birds recorded this month include Ruff, Wood Sandpiper, Temminck’s Stint and Common Snipe; they migrate from north Asia, and Citrine Wagtail and Grey Wagtail, which migrate from southwestern Asia and Himalaya.
Winter migratory terrestrial birds spotted this year include European Starling that migrates from southwestern Asia, Black Redstart that migrates from Europe and central Asia, Taiga Flycatcher that migrates from north Eurasia (eastern Russia, Siberia, Mongolia) and Common Chiffchaff that migrates from temperate Europe and Asia.
