GURUGRAM: The Haryana govt’s attempt to boost the fisheries sector within the state is taking a toll on birds that seek advice from freshwater bodies and wetlands in some portions of NCR. Environmentalists declare nearly 100 birds have died within the wetlands of Rohtak and Jhajjar within the ultimate two months after you have entangled in nylon nets put in via fisheries contractors to prevent the birds from preying on fish being cultivated in these aqua farms.
Sources within the woodland department confirmed that around 100 birds succumbed to injuries after you have stuck in these nets, within the ultimate two months.
A TOI crew visited the wetlands in Rohtak and Jhajjar and located that nets have have been strung over 3 wetlands in Dighal, which is home to a number of avian species. Fisheries contractors have hired guards who on occasion even use explosives to scare birds away.
Rakesh Alahwat, a resident of Dighal and an area birder, stated, “We have rescued many birds, but no less than 100 birds have died in two months after you have entangled in these nets. These sharp, nylon nets are not visible to birds. Larger bird species, together with painted storks, egrets and cormorants, frequently get stuck within the nets. We have got rid of many nets, but the fisheries contractors have once more erected them. Local villagers don’t seem to hassle. When I attempted to persuade sarpanches, they stated the fisheries projects were bringing money to their villages while birds won’t help them get money,”
Activists identified that putting in place of fish farms within the wetlands is unlawful. “Both a Supreme Court verdict and the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010, obviously say nature of wetlands can’t be modified. These fisheries contractors ultimately end up destroying the entire aquatic life. They remove algae and vegetation around wetlands, which ends up in destruction of the entire ecosystem of wetlands,” stated Dr Gopi Sundar, scientist (cranes and wetlands programme) on the Nature Conservation Foundation.
Asked why there are not any curbs on these unlawful actions, the woodland department stated it might take strict motion against offenders.
“We have were given many nets got rid of, but the contractors put them back. However, we're analyzing these areas often. Also, we now have penalised a few offenders for killing birds via striking nets over ponds and wetlands,” stated Manoj Kumar, district woodland officer (flora and fauna).
There are over 130 freshwater bodies, which include ponds, in Rohtak and Jhajjar. Around 50% of them have been coated with nylon nets. In Dighal, 3 out of 10 ponds have been coated with nets.
Dighal has been known as an “important bird house” via Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), and around 263 bird species, which include both migrant and resident birds, can be discovered here.
Most water bodies in these districts are spread across 6-10 acres. The birds that flock to these wetlands rely on grass and fish for survival. “Dighal and places around it are home to a number of bird species because of the presence of huge wetlands and several other water bodies. Birders from across the nation come here to take a glimpse of migratory and resident birds. The uncommon Horned Grebe used to be additionally noticed in Dighal this year. However, the bird didn’t stay here for long. The destruction of wetlands because of fisheries projects might be one of the causes,” stated Pankaj Gupta of Delhi Bird Foundation.
Sources within the woodland department confirmed that around 100 birds succumbed to injuries after you have stuck in these nets, within the ultimate two months.
A TOI crew visited the wetlands in Rohtak and Jhajjar and located that nets have have been strung over 3 wetlands in Dighal, which is home to a number of avian species. Fisheries contractors have hired guards who on occasion even use explosives to scare birds away.
Rakesh Alahwat, a resident of Dighal and an area birder, stated, “We have rescued many birds, but no less than 100 birds have died in two months after you have entangled in these nets. These sharp, nylon nets are not visible to birds. Larger bird species, together with painted storks, egrets and cormorants, frequently get stuck within the nets. We have got rid of many nets, but the fisheries contractors have once more erected them. Local villagers don’t seem to hassle. When I attempted to persuade sarpanches, they stated the fisheries projects were bringing money to their villages while birds won’t help them get money,”
Activists identified that putting in place of fish farms within the wetlands is unlawful. “Both a Supreme Court verdict and the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010, obviously say nature of wetlands can’t be modified. These fisheries contractors ultimately end up destroying the entire aquatic life. They remove algae and vegetation around wetlands, which ends up in destruction of the entire ecosystem of wetlands,” stated Dr Gopi Sundar, scientist (cranes and wetlands programme) on the Nature Conservation Foundation.
Asked why there are not any curbs on these unlawful actions, the woodland department stated it might take strict motion against offenders.
“We have were given many nets got rid of, but the contractors put them back. However, we're analyzing these areas often. Also, we now have penalised a few offenders for killing birds via striking nets over ponds and wetlands,” stated Manoj Kumar, district woodland officer (flora and fauna).
There are over 130 freshwater bodies, which include ponds, in Rohtak and Jhajjar. Around 50% of them have been coated with nylon nets. In Dighal, 3 out of 10 ponds have been coated with nets.
Dighal has been known as an “important bird house” via Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), and around 263 bird species, which include both migrant and resident birds, can be discovered here.
Most water bodies in these districts are spread across 6-10 acres. The birds that flock to these wetlands rely on grass and fish for survival. “Dighal and places around it are home to a number of bird species because of the presence of huge wetlands and several other water bodies. Birders from across the nation come here to take a glimpse of migratory and resident birds. The uncommon Horned Grebe used to be additionally noticed in Dighal this year. However, the bird didn’t stay here for long. The destruction of wetlands because of fisheries projects might be one of the causes,” stated Pankaj Gupta of Delhi Bird Foundation.
As fisheries business booms, wetlands are turning into death traps for birds
![As fisheries business booms, wetlands are turning into death traps for birds]()
Reviewed by Kailash
on
February 23, 2018
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