PTI Indore
Updated: 15-09-2019 18:45 IST Created:
15-09-2019 18:45 IST
The delay in the arrival of the world's
most endangered migratory bird, Lesser Florican or Kharmore, in the
Sailana sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh for
the annual breeding season so far has left ornithologists worried. Experts, who are
seeking to find out the causes behind the winged creatures missing their annual
date, have raised concerns over the presence of windmills and nilgais (blue
bulls) in the vicinity of the sanctuary, spread
over 1300 hectares in Ratlam district.
"This is probably the first in the
36 year history of the sanctuary that
no Kharmore has visited the area during the breeding season. Last year, four
Kharmores were seen in this sanctuary," ornithologist Ajay Gadikar, who is
working for the conservation of the rare birds with the state Forest
department, told PTI on Sunday. Gadikar said the absence of the birds is a
cause of concern because the sanctuary has
lush green grass and is the ideal habitat for them.
"We suspect that the windmills
that have come up near Sailana area in the last decade are disturbing the
Kharmores who generally fly at the height of the windmills," he said,
adding that the presence of Nilgais or large Indian antelopes
might be the another cause. According to Gadikar, Kharmore is a very shy bird
who prefers either flying away or hiding after sensing any unusual movement.
Chief Conservator of Forests (Ujjain
Range), Ajay Kumar Yadav, has confirmed that no winged visitor has been spotted
in the sanctuary so
far. "Forest department will study the reasons with the help of experts to
find out whether windmills and nilgais are acting as deterrents," he said.
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