10 bird sanctuaries in India critically threatened: Report

IANS | Mumbai 

November 15, 2014 Last Updated at 15:26 IST

Two important bird and biodiversity areas in Maharashtra are among 10 across India that are in serious danger of being lost forever due to unsustainable developmental pactices, a new study warned Saturday.

The report, titled 'Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas: A Global Network for Conserving Nature & Benefitting People', was prepared by Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) in association with Britain's BirdLife International.

A BNHS spokesperson said a component of the study report "IBAs in Danger" lists at least 10 major Indian sites which could be lost forever unless immediate remedial measures are undertaken to protect them.

Some of the sites are Sewri-Mahul Creek, Mumbai and Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary in Solapur/Ahmednagar (both in Maharashtra), Flamingo City in Kutch (Gujarat), Ranebennur in Haveri (Karnataka), Basai in Gurgaon (Haryana), Tillangchong in Andaman and Nicobar Isles and four in Madhya Pradesh, including Sailana Kharmor Sanctuary in Ratlam.

The report has been presented at the ongoing World Parks Congress in Sydney, Australia.

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Hailstorm killed 26 bird species

The hailstorm that hit Maharashtra earlier this year killed more than 65,000 birds and mammals in various parts of the state, according to a special report prepared by the Bombay Natural History Society.

A total 26 species of birds and nine species of mammals were killed in Marathwada and Vidarbha during the period from March 1 to 10 and on May 1 and 2, BNHS stated in the report that was released on Tuesday.

Mass mortality was reported in 27 areas with high mortality in 14 areas, each covering about 25 sq km.

"A high number of deaths were reported for birds that prefer residing near human habitation. Some of these are mynas, owls, parakeets and kites," the report states.

The highest rate of mass mortality was observed at the roosting sites of birds such as rosy starling, the house sparrow and rose-ringed parakeet. Birds such as coucal, bulbul, drongo, quail, lark, egret and bee-eaters were found dead across the study area.

"We observed carcasses of more than 1,500 rose-ringed parakeets at Mandava village in Risod tehsil of Washim district. These parakeets were roosting on a series of teak trees near a farmland. After the hailstorm their carcasses were lying over an area spread over one hectare," the report states.

Among the other species seriously affected were egrets, cormorants, storks, ibises, doves, quails, grey herons and the barn owl.

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