Birds count in Thol is now three times than in Nalsarovar

Birds count in Thol is now three times than in Nalsarovar

Nalsarovar Lake near Ahmedabad in Gujarat is a Bird Sanctuary since 1969. It is spread in the area of 120.82-sq-km Lake with shallow waters, situated about 60 km from Ahmedabad in Gujarat. Migratory birds mainly inhabit it as their wintering ground. But these days birds count in Thol is now three times than in Nalsarovar.

 

Nevertheless, Nalsarovar wetland is facing a tough competition by another nearby wetland named Thol. Birds count in Thol is now three times than in Nalsarovar. Estimated number of birds per sq km in Thol is around 9000. While in Nalsarovar is only approx 2500 birds per sq km and the most birds are local and not migratory. The bird count released by forest department shows that the number of birds in Nalsarovar has increased by 16000, while the numbers in Thol has increased more than 34000. According to the reports, Thol had a count of almost 4000 birds per sq km and it is increased 120%.
Officials say that fishing and poaching by the locals has major role in scaring birds away from Nalsarovar sanctuary. Poachers lay nets to trap exotic birds of Nalsarovar, Gujarat. It is a bitter truth that locals of at least 15 surrounding villages are (said to be) involved in illegal fishing and poaching activities. Only seven to eight foresters and guards combined safeguards Nalsarovar. Locals take advantage of this staff scarcity to poach birds and sell them into the black market.

 

There has been decline in Nalsarovar bird count also because of the diversion of excess Narmada waters to Nalsarovar Lake. This is happening since the past few years is probably another reason for it. The excess Narmada water in Nalsarovar Lake has altered water quality of the marshland and has led to consistently high levels of water in Nalsarovar. It is a turnoff for migratory birds. Especially the birds like greater and lesser flamingos that thrive in shallow waters of about 2ft, which Nalsarovar once used to be.

Thol

 

Birds count in Thol is now three times than in Nalsarovar. Thol Lake is an artificial lake near Thol village in Kalol area of Mehsana District in Gujarat, India. It is a reservoir made for irrigation in 1912. It is a fresh water lake same as Nalsarovar and is a marshland. Thol is a Bird Sanctuary since the year of 1988.

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