Loktak Lake is witnessing a concerning decline in their numbers...
Digital Desk: The renowned Loktak Lake in Manipur, India, known for hosting a diverse array of migratory birds, is witnessing a concerning decline in their numbers.
Primarily comprising duck species, these winged visitors journey from Tibet, Siberia, China, and Europe, arriving in October and departing by early March, with December and January marking the peak season.
Around 30 bird species, including the Whistling Teal, Mandarin Ducks, Shelduck, Ibis, and Grey Leg Geese, have been documented during these migrations.
However, conservationists express growing apprehension as the bird population steadily diminishes. Human settlements and escalating economic activities in the region are identified as major contributors to this decline.
Reports indicate an upswing in bird trapping around Loktak Lake, coupled with an increase in poaching incidents.
RK Birjit, the state coordinator of the Indian Bird Conservation Network, highlights the ecological repercussions, citing the Ithai Barrage's construction under the Loktak Project as a catalyst.
This has led to an imbalance, manifesting in the dwindling numbers of migratory birds and the disappearance of indigenous plant species around the lake. Urgent conservation efforts are imperative to preserve the ecological integrity of this vital avian habitat.
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