Urbanisation takes birds away from tricity

Aishwarya S Iyer, SAS Nagar| 

Updated: Jul 08, 2015 15:29 IST

Rampant urbanisation on the periphery of Chandigarh has resulted in various species of birds fleeing the region. The trend has been witnessed for years across the world, but this relatively newly urbanised region that once had lush green fields and trees, is now a concrete jungle with no space for the winged creatures. 

“Kharar used to have small patches of forests which have been axed to pave the way for the construction of buildings and complexes. Nowadays I see no bird at all,” says Kamaldeep Singh Tiwana, 36, who has lived in Kharar since his birth. There used to be doves and peacocks, even honeybees, butterflies, which have disappeared. We get to see birds only when we go to Kasauli and other hill stations, said Tiwana.

According to Harinder Pal Singh Jolly, vice-president, municipal council, Kharar, nothing much can be done about it. “Population is increasing so people need houses to stay. Thus urbanisation is inevitable. It is accompanied by pollution caused by vehicles. I have lived here for 12 years and witnessed 30-40% of the open land being urbanised,”Jolly added.

Zirakpur residents too are concerned over the loss of birds. Shama Sharma, 50, of Zirakpur said, “There was a time when we used to come across so many birds but now only pigeons are visible, that too rarely. There is no site of sparrows or peacocks in the region. I miss them. I am residing here for the last eight years, and have been watching rampant urbanisation of the city.”

Continued ...

Birds fly as Sukhna fills to the brim

CHANDIGARH: Too much water has turned Sukhna Lake into a desert for wetland birds. Lacking in shallow waters for feeding and silted islands for perching and resting, 95% of bird species have fled from the lake even as the fish rejoice and sambar and neelgai drink to their hearts' delight.

As the monsoon waters boost the lake's pond area depths to the danger mark, the hordes of openbill storks and a handful of painted storks are nowhere to be seen. Grey and purple herons have joined the exodus. These birds revelled in the lake's mosaic of shallow ponds and silted stretches till just a few weeks back. Even quintessential red-wattled lapwings and black-winged stilts that were to be seen trotting along the lake walkway, have all but disappeared. Every evening, flights of lesser whistling ducks rose from the lake and flew across the Chandigarh Golf Club to nightly feeding grounds. But these ducks, which love lots of dry spots, seem to have vanished into thin air.

Continued:  http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-09-21/flora-fauna/34001267_1_wetland-birds-species-of-migratory-birds-waterfowl