Village pond to be made community reserve

KURUKSHETRA: Arrival of migratory birds in the northern plains of India every autumn is a much awaited event for bird watchers. Although migratory birds can be spotted across reservoirs in Haryana, the water body at Thana village of Pehowa tehsil appears to be a favourite with them, says Dr Rohtash Chander Gupta, former chairman, department of zoology, Kurukshetra University. Things have been difficult for the birds of late but that may change with the pond being converted into a community reserve.

“The pond will be renovated under an action plan of Rs 7 crore. A management committee will look into it. A decision on the committee will be taken in a week or 10 days. Renovation will involve a plantation, development of ghats, removal of encroachments and development of nesting areas for softshell turtles that are present here. The community reserve has been named Golden Jubilee Brahmasarovar Community Reserve, spread over an area of 89 acres,” said Conservator of forests (Wildlife), Panchkula, M L Rajwanshi.

Rajwanshi also elaborated on the religious and ecological importance of the pond. “Village residents believe this is the actual ‘Brahma Sarovar’, and not the one in Kurukshetra. They believe Lord Shiva meditated here. Also, there are large numbers of softshell turtles here, which are otherwise only found in Bangladesh,” he said.

The reservoir, which is spread over 80 to 100 acres of land, draws birds like swans, cotton pygmy goose, bar -beaded goose, greylag goose, red -crested pochard, tufted pochard, spot -billed duck, garganey, ruddy shelduck, northern shoveller, northern pintail, common teal, eurasian teal, common sandpiper, spotted and common redshank, blue -winged teal, white -tailed lapwing, green sandpiper, common greenshank, mallard, pallas gull, black and brown -headed gull, pied, comb duck, brahminy shelduck, common coot, large whistling duck, gadwall, gIbis, black ibis, and more. They fly all the way from Northern Asia, Russia, Siberia, Caspian Sea, China, and West Asia.

Dr Tarsem Kaushik, a bird scientist who has worked with the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (Sacon), Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, said, “We have been visiting this pond for more than one decade and have seen many species of migratory birds. Now, their numbers are less as compared to previous years.”

One reason for this could be release of toxins into the water, experts explained. “The pond does not have enough water now. Growth of hyacinth weed shows its end is near. The pond is dying a slow death due to the release of garbage, drainage and sewage into it. Release of poisonous water into the water has forced the birds to leave,” said Dr Chander Gupta.

Much of the problem stems from human activity around the area. Dr Gupta said, “The pond in Thana village is important in terms of biodiversity, with more than 100 species of migratory and local birds coming here. However, the present situation of the reservoir is very poor and it is not conducive to well-being of migratory birds.”

He said village residents tie cattle at the spot, which has an adverse impact on the bird population. Dr Chander Gupta suggested that the state government develop the pond as a tourist spot. “The government must develop the pond in such a way that its natural habitat is not affected and it keeps inviting birds with its natural beauty,” he said.