Birds at Ropar Down by 50% in 3 Years; Malwa Canal to Axe 120K Trees

The population of birds at Ropar Wetland Conservation Reserve has dropped from 3,808 from 56 species in 2020 to 1,764 from 43 species in 2023. The Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary has also witnessed a steady decline in the bird population from 4,533 from 33 species 2020 to 3,135 from 33 species in 2023. The numbers were mentioned in the Rajya Sabha (Upper House) in response to MP Satnam Singh Sandhu’s question: ‘whether the govt. is aware of the declining bird species diversity and declining summer breeding in Panjab?’ Providing details, the written reply by Kirti Vardhan Singh, Minister of State, Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, said the data was based on information provided by Panjab. Panjab’s three wetlands — Harike, Kanjli, and Ropar — have been designated as Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas considered important globally for the conservation of bird populations. Along with three other sites – Beas Reserve, Keshopur-Miani Reserve, and Nangal Sanctuary – they are all protected areas under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. According to ecologist and conservationist TK Roy, ‘Climate change, human intervention and disturbance, including public movement, cattle grazing, cleaning, and firewood collection are possible reasons behind the decline.’ Panjab CM Mann recently announced the Malwa Canal to irrigate Gidderbaha, Lambi, and other areas of Malwa (SDW Vol 2 Issue 28, Story 6). Officials of the Forest Department and the Water Resources Department revealed that over 50K trees in Muktsar and 70K in Ferozepur forest divisions would have to be axed for the construction of the canal. Opposition parties and experts are questioning the technical viability of the proposed project.