Ramsar site that even migratory birds shun

KAPURTHALA: Not only has least diversity in bird species been observed at Kanjhli - the smallest Ramsar site of Punjab - but the wetland has been found to be in a bad shape during the recent Asian Water-bird Census (AWC). Only one migratory bird species - Eurasian coot (six birds) - and seven resident species were spotted during the census conducted on January 20 by a team led by AWC Delhi state coordinator T K Roy and supported by divisional forest officer, wildlife division, Kapurthala.

There were no species of IUCN red-listed threatened birds amid total population 164 with the largest count of the resident species Common moorhen at 140. In the previous years, migration of Bar-headed goose, Great crested grebe and Northern shoveler to the wetland was also recorded.

Kanjhli was declared a Ramsar site in 2002 according to the Ramsar Convention - a convention on wetlands of international importance - and is the smallest (183 hectares) in Punjab among three such spots in the state.

Kanjhli having good wetland habitat for water bird species diversity used to attract winter migratory water birds from far central Asia, north Asia and parts of Siberia in large number. "However, now the habitat is declining due to no protection, conservation, management and several other local threats," said Roy, adding the site was also not under the wildlife department for protection and management.

"Due to global climate change and its impact, migration trends of the birds are also changing. There is late migration, arrival of lesser species and lower numbers of migratory water birds in comparison to earlier years all over the country. However, in Kanjhli it's exceptional least bird species diversity and population to meet the Ramsar criterion," he added.

The census survey also recorded the observations that the riverine wetland was chocked by overgrowth of aquatic weed water hyacinth and was resulting into non-functioning aquatic ecosystem adversely impacting flora and fauna. "Open human thoroughfare, fishing and water pollution were the other factors in the degradation of the wetland site," Roy said.

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