ISSN: 0972-3153 ENVIS Newsletter on wetland ecosystems and inland wetlands Sarovar Saurabh

Vol. 8(4), 2012 i n a d a G

k i m u a h B

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: y s e t r u o c

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r Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary g th o t 26 Ramsar Site of India o h P

Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON) Anaikatti P.O. Coimbatore - 641108. TamilNadu ENVIS Newsletter onSar wetovarland Saur ecosystabhems and inland wetlands

Editor in Chief Dr.P.A.Azeez Director, SACON & ENVIS Head

ENVIS and Editorial Team Dr.Goldin Quadros - ENVIS Co-ordinator Contents Page.No. Dr.M.A.RajaMamannan Dr.Sheeba Nanjan The Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary 1 Ms.A.Julffia Begam Glimpse of the Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary 2 Nal Srovar - a waterbird abode 3 Layout & Design Communities and their livelihood around Ms.A.Julffia Begam the Nal Sarovar bird sanctuary 5 Photographs in this issue unless specified courtesy The Tribes living around Nal Sarovar 6 Mr. Bhaumik Gadani Published by Abstracts from Published Literature 8,9 Environmental Information System Bibliography of some of the studies done on the (ENVIS) Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary 9 Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON), News Article 10 Anaikatti P.O. Coimbatore - 641108.

Sponsored by Ministry of Environment and Forests Government of India, New Delhi.

Instruction to Contributors From the Editors' desk Wetlands are in fact the most species diverse habitats. They are aesthetically pleasing and attractive, and enormously valuable to humanity; they provide We welcome original research and popular articles, water, food and timber, protect us from floods and droughts, and offer reviews, reports, research highlights, notes, news, snippets, etc., recreation. They provide habitats for numerous species. However, wetlands related to the thematic area of the ENVIS centre for publication are among the most threatened ecosystems, for overt or covert causes vanishing in ‘Sarovar Saurabh the ENVIS Newsletter on Wetland from the cityscapes as well as from other landscapes or falling in their habitat ecosystems and inland wetlands’. quality. Overexploitation of the wetland resources, spreading ecologically unsound cities and increasing human demands have endangered the wetlands The articles and other information should be neatly in turn upsetting the diversity of life that abounds it and the ecosystem typed in double space not exceeding five pages. The figures, services they have been providing from time immemorial. However, this state graphs/drawings should be of good quality and clarity. is not particular to wetlands; all over the world, almost all natural habitats Photographs should be of minimum 300 dpi resolution. are under various types of severe threats and vanishing. Growing concern References should be limited and cited in the text by name an year. over this state of affairs has lead to the framing of several policies, agreements Council of Science editors style may be referred to for listing and intergovernmental treaties to conserve them. Of these, the Ramsar references at th end. Convention focuses on the conservation of wetlands and their wise use. India Email your articles in MS-Word 2003 or 2007 is one of the early signatories to the Ramsar Convention and now has format to [email protected] or [email protected] designated one of its wetlands as its 26th Wetland of International Importance. In this newsletter, we bring to you articles and abstracts from some of the Or send the articles in hard and soft copy by post to research papers on the Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary, Gujarat. These briefs The ENVIS Co-ordinator, highlight the importance of the Nal Sarovar ecologically and to the locals and their livelihoods. Now with its designation as the 26th Ramsar site, it is even ENVIS Centre, more necessary to formulate appropriate management plans for it keeping in Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History(SACON) mind the wellbeing of the locals and the birds. We look forward to your comments, suggestions and feedback, in taking this Anaikatti P.O. Coimbatore - 641108. TamilNadu, India Newsletter further. Please do write to us and we request you to be a partner in disseminating information on wetlands, a crucial ecosystem for humans, numerous wild species and the environment.

P A Azeez Printed at : Udhayam Achagam, Coimbatore - 641 002. Ph : 0422 - 2541551 The Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary-The Ramsar Site

The convention on wetlands came into force for India on 1st February, 1982. Presently India has 26 sites designated as Wetlands of International Importance, with a surface area of 689,131 hectares. The Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary in Gujarat is the 26th Ramsar site for India as on 24/09/2012 with an area of 12,000 ha and located at 22°46'33”N 72°02'21”E coordinates is the Ramsar site no. 2078.

Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary, a natural freshwater lake (a relict sea) that is the largest natural wetland in the Thar Desert Biogeographic Province and represents a dynamic environment with salinity and depth varying depending on rainfall. The area is home to 210 species of birds, with an average 174,128 individuals recorded there during the winter and 50,000 in the summer.

It is an important stopover site within the Central Asia Flyway, with globally threatened species such as the critically endangered Sociable Lapwing (Vanellus gregarious)and the vulnerable Marbled Teal (Marmaronetta angustirostris) stopping over at the site during migration, while the vulnerable Sarus Crane (Grus antigone) takes refuge there during summer when other water bodies are dry. The wetland is also a lifeline for satellite population of the endangered Indian Wild Ass (Equus hemionus khur) which uses this area in the dry season. Local communities heavily rely on the lake as it provides them with a source of drinking water and water for irrigation, as well as an important source of income from fishing for Catla fish (Catla catla) and Rohu (Labeo rohita). An average of 75,000 tourists visit the wetland annually.

SACON ENVIS Newsletter - Sarovar Saurabh 1 Vol. 8(4), 2012. ISSN: 0972-3153 Glimpse of the Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary Nal Sarovar bird sanctuary is a temperature rises up to 35 °C during the monsoons. The lake dries up almost natural shallow lake, muddy lagoons and month of May and falls below 15 °C in completely in the summer. The marshes dotted by over 300 islets. It is the largest January. The average rainfall is about do not support much vegetation wetland bird sanctuary about 64 km to the 580 mm (Nirmal Kumar et al., 2006). although the lake is surrounded by West of Ahmedabad in the Gujarat state Geologically, the area is bound in the grasslands and open fields. Reeds and of India. The lake measures 120.82 km², west by basaltic trap rocks of the aquatic plants may be found around the and has its genesis in the late quaternary Saurashtra peninsula and northwest lake whereas trees are practically absent. period. It is one of the largest bird fringe by the Jurassic and Cretaceous The unique geographical location, sanctuaries, Nal Sarovar harbours one of sandstones, while north-east brink is climate and topography have endowed the highest populations of waterfowl c o n s t i t u t e d b y i g n e o u s a n d Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary with anywhere in India. It supports a variety of metamorphic rocks of Aravalli. substantially good floral and faunal other resident bird species and also Quaternary alluvial plains occupy diversity. This natural shallow lake attracts several migrant varieties. There Cambay basin on its eastern side flourishes with 48 species of are varying records on the number of (Nirmal Kumar et al., 2007). phytoplankton and 71flowering plants, species of birds recorded at Nalsoravar, Nal Sarovar is a shallow lake including more than 30 species of however the Ramsar RIS mentions 210 that occurs over a flat, extensive low aquatic macrophytes that include species of birds. lying stretch of land which is mainly Marselia sp., Bergia odorata, Hydrilla Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary is marshy. The lake is situated at the verticillata, Ipomoea aquatica, Najas located between 22°78' N to 22° 96' N junction of the Saurashtra plateau with graminea, N.marina, Nelumbo nucifera, latitude and 71° 92' E to 72° 64' E the Gujarat Mainland. The northern, Phragmites karka, Typha sp., Cyperus sp.

longitude, falls in 4B Gujarat-Rajwara southern and easter n boundaries of the and Vallisneria spiralis. (Stanley, 2004; biotic province of the semi arid lands of lake are fringed by Shahpur, Shiyal, Nirmal Kumar et al., 2006) Central Gujarat, India (Rodgers and Kayla, Vekaria, Meni and Durgi villages. The lake fauna includes 76 Panwar 1988). It receives water from two While the western periphery is species of zooplankton, >20 species of rivers: Brahmini and Bhogavo, carries surrounded by Digvijayg adh, Panali, fish, 11 species of herpetofauna, 216 household sewage and agricultural run- Mulbavia, Ranagadh, Bhagvanpur, species of birds, including 160 species of off from village pockets at north-western Galiela and Nani Kathechi villages. The waterfowl of both resident and mig ratory boundary. The waterflow pattern of the sanctuary supports more than 300 islets, species, and 13 mammalian species area is exhibited by gentle slope from most of which are located on its wester n including the threatened Indian Wild Ass no r th-west to south. No industr ial boundary. It is rainfed wetland and (Equus hemionus khur) and Blac kbuck effluent enters into the lake. The water serves as a water-catchment area in the (Antelope cervicapra) (GEER 1998).

List of threatened mammal and birds at List of water fowls (in 1% threshold level) presence in N alsarovar Bird Sanctuary (RAMSAR S ite No: 2078) Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary (RAMSAR Site No: 2078)

National S . 1 % Y e ar /s , p e r io d s English IUCN RED CM S E n g lish N a m e S c ie n t ific N am e Scientific Name CITES Status N o. T h r e sh ol d p r e se n t Name List India P E L IC A N S MAMMALS 1 G r e a t W hite P e lic a n P e le ca nu s on oc r ota lus 2 10 19 92 , 1 99 6 Indian Wild Equus hemionus Endangered I II Endangered C O R M O R AN T S & D A R T E R S Ass 19 92 , 1 99 6, 20 00 , BIRDS 2 L ittle C o rm or a nt P ha lc roc o ra x n ige r 2 ,5 00 20 02 , 2 00 4, 20 06 , Sarus Crane Grus antigone Vulnerable II II Vulnerable 20 08 Dalmatian S T O R K S Pelecanus crispus Vulnerable I I and II Vulnerable Pelican 3 O p e n- bill S to rk A na sto m us o sc itan s 3 ,0 00 A s a bo ve Marmaronetta Marbled Teal Vulnerable - I and II Vulnerable IB I S E S & S P O O N B IL L S angustirostris 4 G lo ssy Ibi s P le ga dis fa lc ine llu s 2 50 A s a bo ve Sociable Vanellus Critically - Critically I and II Lapwing gregarius Endangered Endangered F L A M IN G O S Pallas’s Fish Haliaeetus 5 G r e a te r F la m i ngo P ho e nic o pte ru s ros e us 2 ,4 00 A s a bo ve Vulnerable II II Vulnerable Eagle leucoryphus G E E S E & D U C K S Greater Aquila clanga Vulnerable II I and II Vulnerable 6 G r e yla g G e e se A ns er ans e r 2 50 A s a bo ve Spotted Eagle 7 P in ta il A na s ac u ta 2 0,00 0 A s a bo ve Eastern Imperial Aquila heliaca Vulnerable I and II I and II Vulnerable 8 C o m m on T ea l A na s c re c c a 4 ,0 00 A s a bo ve Eagle 9 G a d wa ll A na s stre p e ra 3 ,0 00 A s a bo ve FISH 1 0 W ige o n A na s pe n e lop e 2 ,5 00 A s a bo ve Cirrhinus White Carp Vulnerable 1 1 G a r ga n ey Te a l A na s qu e rqu e du la 3 ,5 00 A s a bo ve cirrhosus Wild 1 2 S h ov e lle r A na s c ly pe at a 7 ,1 00 A s a bo ve Common Cyprinus carpio Vulnerable 1 3 C o m b D uc k S ark id ior nis m e lan o tus 2 50 A s a bo ve Carp R A IL S , C R A K E S , G A L L IN U L E S & C O O T S

Note: 1 4 C o o t F ulic a atra 1 5,00 0 A s a bo ve CITES-Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species Of S H O RE B IR D S A N D W AD E RS Wild Fauna And Flora 1 5 B l a ck -ta il ed G od wi t L im o sa lim o sa 1 ,5 00 A s a bo ve CMS-Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild 1 6 R u f f P hilo m ac h us p ug na x 1 ,0 00 A s a bo ve Animals 1 7 B l a ck -w in ge d S tilt H im an to pus him an to pu s 1 ,7 00 A s a bo ve

Source: Wildlife Division, Environment and Forests De partment, GUJARAT/ 2012.

2 SACON ENVIS Newsletter - Sarovar Saurabh Vol. 8(4), 2012. ISSN: 0972-3153

Predatory resident species of finfish of Nal wetland resources. These tribes form almost Now with the Ramsar designation Sarovar, like Channa sp, Wallugo attu, 74% of the whole population, while the Government of Gujarat should develop Saccobranchus sp. forms one of the chief remaining 26% of the population comprises and implement inclusive conservation component of the total fish-catch, according Bharwad, Vaghri, Harijan, Koli Patel, Naik, Pagi, measures by involving the local community to Stanley (2004), can survive under most Rawal, Khalifa, Khoja and Prajapati tribes. The and stakeholders. The state of Gujarat is adverse conditions. traditional livelihood system of these tribes fortunate to have all kinds of diversity and The lake and the wetlands consisted of collection of fuel wood, hence can become an example of inclusive surrounding it, now a Ramsar site, were income generation through fishing, boating, conservation with Nal Sarovar as its first declared a bird sanctuary in April 1969. The horse-riding and agricultural practices, Ramsar site. locals claim that the Lake Nalsarovar is named hunting and poaching of waterfowl and after King Nal who ruled in the region. The gathering of possible wetland resources up Bhaumik Gadani community structure according to Nirmal to certain extent. Herds of domestic animals Goldin Quadros Kumar et al. (2007) is mainly dominated by include cows, buffaloes and goats. As M.A.RajaMamannan Padhar (the only tribe in Gujarat State lives in majority of the people thrive on wetland Email: [email protected] plains), Samma Sindhi and Muslim tribes, which resources, agriculture practices and cattle [email protected] inhabit different parts of the sanctuary with an grazing are subordinate activities in and [email protected] intricate lifestyle wholly dependent on the around sanctuary area.

References Rodgers and Panwar, 1988 Planning a Wildlife Protected Area Network (PAN) in India. State Summaries. Vol. II. Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehra Dun. Nirmal Kumar J. I., Hiren Soni and Rita N Kumar, 2006 Biomonitoring of selected freshwater macrophytes to assess lake trace element contamination: a case study of Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary, Gujarat, India. J. Limnol., 65(1): 9-16, Stanley, O.D., 2004 Wetland ecosystems and coastal habitat diversity in Gujarat, India. Journal of Coastal Development Volume 7, Number 2: 49-64 GEER, 1998 Environmental Impact Assessment of Sardar Sarovar Project on Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary. Final Technical Report submitted to Narmada Planning Group, Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited, Gandhinagar. Nirmal Kumar J. I., Hiren Soni and Rita N Kumar, 2007 Anthropogenic Pressures of Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary, Gujarat, India International Journal of Nature and Conservation. 19 (2): 209-231.

Nalsarovar-a waterbird abode Nalsarovar has achieved fame as Pochard (NT). Besides these Globally Open Water with Moderate bird-heaven and the status of “bird Threatened/Near Threatened water birds, Turbidity, Open Water with Very Low sanctuary” mainly due to high bird diversity birds like Osprey and Eurasian Spoonbill Turbidity, Emergent Aquatic Vegetation, and abundance that it supports, especially in that are recorded at Nalsarovar are Schedule- Barren/Sparsely Vegetated Islet, Shoreland winter season. Considering the confirmed 1 species as per Wildlife (Protection) Act, with Herbaceous Cover, Shoreland with waterbird records available in some 1972. Salt-Encrustation, Shoreland with authentic bird checklists (GEER 1998, Water bird censuses have been Waterlogged Areas, Barren Shoreland. In Pandit et al. 2001), a total of 222 species of conducted by Gujarat State Forest addition, the immediate environs have birds have been recorded at Nalsarovar, of Department since 1992, usually at the agricultural land and it also provide foraging these, 122 species (57%) have been water interval of 2 years. The abundance of water opportunity to birds like cranes, ducks and bird species. From the 122 water bird birds (i.e., overall population estimates for some shorebirds. It may be noted that Open species, 60 are migratory, 42 species are water birds) as per the surveys for different Water (OW) Habitat and Emergent Aquatic resident and 20 species are resident- years indicates that highest water bird Vegetation have been the main habitat migratory for the Indian Subcontinent. Of population (2,53,254 birds) was recorded in components in the Nal wetland. Open Water the various species recorded, maximum the year 2008. provides the foraging and loafing areas for species are of shorebirds/small waders Waterbird Habitat Diversity: followed by large waders and Anatids. swimming/diving water birds (like ducks, One of the major reasons for pelican s, grebes, coots etc.), large waders like The Globally threatened/Near Nalsarovar having high bird species richness Threatened birds recorded at Nalsarovar flamingos and aerial hunters like terns, gulls and abundance is good diversity of habitat include Dalmatian Pelican(VU), Indian and some wetland dependent raptors (e.g., components. A doctoral research conducted Sarus Crane (VU), Greater Spotted Aquila eagles). Emergent Aquatic Eagle(VU), Black-tailed Godwit(NT), by the first author at Space Applications Vegetation has been providing foraging area Lesser Flamingo (NT), Painted Stork(NT), Center (ISRO) had shown that following and/or cover for the marsh-dwelling water Oriental White Ibis (NT), Oriental Darter habitat components occur in Nalsarovar birds like bitterns, rails, crakes, waterhens, (NT) and White-eyed/Ferrugineous wetland: Open Water with High Turbidity, swamphen and moorhens.

SACON ENVIS Newsletter - Sarovar Saurabh 3 Vol. 8(4), 2012. ISSN: 0972-3153 dependent raptors (e.g., Aquila eagles). Forest Department for his contributions in Center for mentoring his doctoral study on Emergent Aquatic Vegetation has been coordinating the bird studies and censuses at Nalsarovar during 1990s. Help rendered by Mr. providing foraging area and/or cover for the Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary. But for his efforts, the Maulik Patel, JRF, GEER Foundation, in marsh-dwelling water birds like bitterns, rails, data could not be generated on birds of Nalsarovar. preparation of this article is also acknowledged. crakes, waterhens, swamphen and moorhens. The authors also acknowledge the contribution of RS/GIS lab of GEER Foundation. The first Ketan Tatu & Acknowledgments author is indebted to Dr. J.S. Parihar, currently Dy. Bharat Pathak, IFS The authors acknowledge the Director, SAC (ISRO) and Dr. M. M. Kimothi, E-mail:[email protected], contributions of Mr. Uday Vora, Dy. CF, Gujarat currently Director, Uttrakhand Space Application [email protected]

References GEER (1998): Environment Impact Assessment of Sardar Sarovar Project on Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuay, Gujarat Ecological Education and Research (GEER) Foundation, Gandhinagar, India, 138pp. Pandit, S. J., M. M. Sharma and G. A. Patel (2001): Management Plan of Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary (2002-03 to 2007-07) (Unpublished)., Gujarat State Forest Department, Gandhinagar, India, 122 pp

Check-list of Waterbirds Recorded at Nalsarovar Name of species Scientific name Name of species Scientific name Name of species Scientific name GREBES HERONS, EGRETS & BITTERNS Curlew Sandpiper Calidrus testacea Little Grebe Podiceps cristatus Grey Heron Ardea cinerea Common Redshank Tringa tetanus Blacknecked Grebe P. nigricollis Purple Heron Ardea purpurea Green Shank Tringa nebularia Great CrestedGrebe P. ruficollis Little Green Heron Butorides striatus Little Stint Calidris minuta PELICANS Night Heron Nycticorax nyticorax Temminck's Stint Calidrus temminckii Great White Pelican Pelicanus onocrotalus Pond Heron Ardeola grayii grayii Sanderling Calidris alba Spotted-billed Pelican P. phillippensis phiippensis Western Reef-Egret Egretta gularis Dunlin Calidris alpine Dalmatian Pelican P. phillippensis crispus Large Egret Ardea alba Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himanitopus DUCKS & GEESE Median Egret Egretta intermedia Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta Barheaded Goose Anser indicus Cattle Egret Bulbulcus ibis Small Pratincole Glareola lacteal Greylag Goose Anser anser Bittern Botaurus stellaris Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola Lesser Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna javanica Chestnut Bittern Ixobrychus cinnamonmeus Oriental Pratincole Glariola maldivarum Common Teal Anas crecca Yellow Bittern Ixobrychus sinensis Ruff Philomachus pugnax Cotton Teal Nettapus coromandeilianus Little Egret Egretta garzetta GULLS Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna STORKS Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea Asian Openbill-Stork Anastomus oscitans Brown-headed Gull Larus brunnicephalus Comb Duck Sarkidiornis melanotos Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala Heuglin's Gull Larus heuglini Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula White Stork Ciconia ciconia Yellow-legged Gull Larus cachinnans Spotbill Duck Anas poecilorhyncha White-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus Pallas's Gull Larus ichthyaetus Scaup Duck Aythya marila IBIS & SPOONBILL TERNS Common Poachard Anthya fernia Oriental White Ibis Threskiornis acthiopica River Tern Sterna aurantia White-eye Pochard Anthya nyroca Black Ibis Pseudibis papillosa Little Tern Sterna albifrons Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica nilotica Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucordia Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybridus Gadwall Anas strepera FLAMINGOS Common Tern Sterna hirundo Eurasian Wigeon Anas penolope Greater Flamingo Phoenicpterus roseus Caspian Tern Hydroprogne casipa Garganey Anas querquedula Lesser Flamingo Phoenicpterus monor White-winged Black Tern Chlidonias leucopterus Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata CRANES KINGFISHERS Northern Pintail Anas acuta Common Crane Grus grus Small Blue Kingfisher Alcedo atthis RAILS, CRAKES, GALLINIULES & Demoiselle Crane Anthropoides virgo Lesser Pied KingfisherCeryle rudis COOTS Sarus Crane Grus antigone White-breasted KingfisherHalcyon smyrensis Bluebreasted Rail Gallirallus striatus WADERS & SHOREBIRDS RAPTORS Spotted Crake Porzana porzana Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus Brahminy Kite Haliastur Indus Ruddy Crake Porzana fusca Yellow-wattledLapwing Vanellus malabaricus Osprey Pandion haliaetus Brown Crake Amaurornis akool Golden Plover Pluvialis spp Marsh Harrier Cirus aeruginosus Purple Moorhen Porphyrio porphyrio Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola Pallas's Fish- Eagle Haliaeetus leucorythus Common MoorhenGallicrex chloropus Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrines Greater Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga Whitebreasted WaterhenAmaurornis phoenicurus Lesser-sand plover Charadrius monogolous CHAT etc. Watercock Gallicrex cinerea Little- Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius Bluethroat Luscinia svecica Common Coot Fulica atra Blacktailed Godwit Limosa limosa WAGTAILS JACANAS Bartailed Godwit Limosa lapponica Grey-headed Yellow Pheasant-tailed JacanaHydrophasianus chirurgus Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago Wagtail Motacilla flava Bronzewinged Jacana Metopidius indicus Jack Snipe Gallinago minima Yellow-headed / CORMORANTS & DARTARS Painted Snipe Rostratula benghalensis Citrine Wagtail M. citreola Greater Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo Curlew Numenius arquata Grey Wagtail M. cinerea Little Cormorant P .niger Great -Stone plover Esacus mangirostris White Wagtail M. alba Indian Shag P .fuscicollis Common Sandpiper Tringa hypoleucos Large Pied Wagtail M. maderaspatensis Darter Anhinga rufa Terek Sandpiper Tringa terrek

4 SACON ENVIS Newsletter - Sarovar Saurabh Vol. 8(4), 2012. ISSN: 0972-3153

Communities and their livelihood around the Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary

Wetland ecosystems provide Padhar tribe forms 55% of the total winter season and this occupation is only done by many services that contribute to human population, followed by Sama Sindhi (10%,) the Pagi community. wellbeing and poverty alleviation. Some Muslims (9%) and Bharwad (8%), while When the tourist inflow shrinks at the groups of people, particularly those living remaining 18% of the population comprises onset of summer, tribes such as Padhar, Sama near wetlands are highly dependent on Vaghri, Harijan, Koli Patel, Naik, Pagi, Rawal, Sindhi and Muslim communities thrive on fishing these services and are directly harmed by Khalifa, Khoja and Prajapati tribes. Livestock practice as a major source of income. In addition their degradation. However the primary population as per the GEER (1998) report, the local community also depends on the indirect drivers of degradation and loss of is one of the strongest hold owned by waterfowl for its food. Poaching has been wetlands have been population growth community as major economic activity for reported from many parts of the sanctuary and increasing economic development. landless labourers. The community reared including some peripheral villages (Nirmal The primary direct drivers of degradation three types of domestic animals i.e. Cows, Kumar and Rita Kumar, 2000), large number of and loss include infrastr ucture Buffalos and Goats and sought a livelihood waterfowl is trapped by Padhar community who development, land conversion, water through activities such as rearing, milching use nylon net method, clap-trap method and mist withdrawal, pollution, over harvesting and and selling of dung-piles. Camels, horses net method for trapping the birds (Nirmal over exploitation and the introduction of and Donkeys, though present, are very Kumar and Rita Kumar, 2007b). invasive alien species. The continued negligible in number. The Camels are The Ramsar Convention has fully degradation of wetlands and more brought in Nal region during summer from recognized and addressed the importance of specifically the continued decline in water surrounding areas. wetlands to people and biodiversity and that quality and quantity will result in further Though the Nal region harbours maintaining the ecological character of wetlands impoverishment of human health diverse plant species, local people through an ecosystem approach is critical to the (Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, excessively use of some native tree species continued provision of ecosystem services. 2005). like Azadirachta indica, Prosopis julifora, P. However the concerns expressed in 1960s about The recently designated Ramsar cineria, Salvadora persica, S. oleiodes, as the drivers of wetland loss and degradation, site Nal Sarovar Bird sanctuary has 12 Fuelwood and fodder. Some prolific aquatic which originally led to the establishment of the villages surrounding it and inhabited by macrophytes like Typha angustata was mainly Ramsar Convention, remain and are probably several communities whose livelihood is utilized for thatching of huts as a roofing more important now than they were then. dependent on the Lake. Here below we material, while huts as a roofing material, Imperatives for economic growth and have a cursory look at the communities while Phragmites karka was used as stall-feed development, eradicating poverty and supplying and their approach to the lake ecosystem. to domestic animals. The root nodules of the increasing needs of an ever-growing human The Nal Sarovar Lake has Cyperus sp as well as the roots of Phragmites population for food, water and energy security villages that cover an area varying from karka is also collected and cooked with the continue frequently to override the maintenance 200 hectare to 500 hectare. The villages vegetables and eaten by the locals (Nirmal of naturally functioning wetlands (Finlayson et have a dominant male population the Kumar et al., 2007). al., 2011). Keeping these concerns and the needs family size varies from 5 to 15 across the The Nalsarovar being an of the community as far as Nal Sarovar is villages (Nirmal Kumar et al., 2007a). The important bird area receives a large inflow concerned it is necessary that the policy makers community structure is mainly dominated of tourist (approx. 75000) each year during plan and implement the conservation measures by Padhar (the only tribe in Gujarat State the winter season. During this time over 150 for the lake in a sustainable manner. lives in plains), Samma Sindhi and Muslim households around the lake are engaged in tribes, which inhabit different parts of the ferrying the tourist thereby generating their Hiren Soni and sanctuary with an intricate lifestyle wholly income. Horse riding is another minor Goldin Quadros dependent on the wetland resources. The source of income generation during the Email:[email protected] [email protected]

Photo Courtesy : Dr. Hiren Soni Photo Courtesy : Dr. Hiren Soni Photo Courtesy : Dr. Hiren Soni Tourists - Horse-riding during Collection of thatching material -Typha Fuelwood collection by local people in winter at Nal Angustata Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary SACON ENVIS Newsletter - Sarovar Saurabh 5 Vol. 8(4), 2012. ISSN: 0972-3153 References Finlayson Max C., Nick Davidson, Dave Pritchard, G. Randy Milton and Heather Mackay, 2011 The Ramsar Convention and Ecosystem based Approaches to the wise Use and Sustainable Development of Wetlands, Journal of International Wildlife Law & Policy, 14: 3- 4, 176-198. GEER, 1998 Environmental Impact Assessment of Sardar Sarovar Project on Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary. Final Technical Report submitted to Narmada Planning Group, Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited, Gandhinagar. Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, 2005 Ecosystems and Human Well-Being: Wetlands and Water Synthesis. World Resources Institute, Washington DC. Nirmal Kumar J. I., Hiren Soni and Rita N Kumar, 2007a Anthropogenic Pressures of Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary, Gujarat, India International Journal of Nature and Conservation. 19 (2): 209-231. Nirmal Kumar, J.I., Hiren Soni, and Rita Kumar 2007b Patterns of site-specific variation of waterbirds community, abundance and diversity in relation to seasons in Nal Lake Bird Sanctuary, Gujarat, India. International Journal of Bird Populations. 8: 1-20. (USA) Nirmal Kumar J.I. and Rita N. Kumar, 2000 Ecological Studies of Certain Protected Areas of Gujarat with special reference to Anthropogenic Pressures. Final Technical Report. Gujarat State Forest Department, Gandhinagar. pp. 1-287.

The tribes living around Nal Sarovar Nal Sarovar apart from being an abode to a blouse with close neck and a thin cloth over occupation of being shepherds. According variety of wild life also provides shelter to a their head. They use simple ornaments made to their own traditions they are descendents number of tribes and communities. Here is a up of silver. They are highly talented artisans of Anavil Bharwad, who helped a Chavda cursory look at some of the tribes and are known for merry making, dancing and prince regain his kingdom. There are also communities that depend on the Nal music during the festivals. The music and traditions that they are members of the Ahir Sorovar. dance of the Padhars are similar to the tribe who took up the occupation of Padhar tribe – This tribe of Gujarat is dark in gestures of the sailors who bend their body shepherding. The Bharwad are Hindu, and complexion and moderately built, they have in a particular manner and create some like other Hindu pastoral communities pay migrated from Sindh region and have special noise. They usually perform the special reverence to Lord Krishna. The tribe occupied a major position among the tribal choral dance wherein one person sings and has come from the Vrindavan and infiltrated communities of India. It is reckoned as one the others respond, their songs are mostly into Gujarat. This Tribes dress is very similar of the most ancient tribal groups of Gujarat devotional and romantic. They also play to the Rabaris, men's cloth are different in and speaks the Pardhi language, while some Raas, Garbhi and Raasda. design as they wear the design of parrot, of them also speak the Guajarati language. peacock, flowers on their cloths (Kehdiyun), Padhars live in the hutments known as Kuba, Samma Sindhi tribe - They are part of the ladies wear backless tops or shirts which are in groups. These hutments- Kubas are larger Jamot tribe (Jamot means Rajput in very rarely covered by the help of veils. The circular in shape with 4´ to 6´ diameter and Sindhi language) and speak the Sindhi, most attractive clothes is the 'Ghaghro' around 6´ height. They are made up of grass Balochi, and Seraiki. There are various Bharwad ladies wear this; it takes and mud. Because of these material used in theories about the origins of Samma tribe. approximately 2 months to complete the the construction of Kubas, they provide One theory is that Samma are descent of embroidery work on the cloth. In Bharwad warmth during winter and also protect the Lord Shree Krishna and some believe they tribes, they wear thick cloth around the waist residents from the severe heat during were descendants of Sam (derived from which is called as Bori, both women and men summer. The name of Lord Krishna "SHYAM" ) (Shem), wear this. In the olden times, this tribe used to tribes are basically non-vegetarian and their the eldest of the three surviving sons of the wear ivory ornaments. Nowadays, women meals include meat and fish. They are prophet Nuh (Noah). Between 1351-1551 commonly wear kansu, khoteritu, followers of Hindu religion, they are known C.E. the Samma Dynasty ruled in Sindh and kambikadla, anhuthi, vedhla, Dalyu, for their colorful clothes. The men wear thick parts of Punjab region and Balochistan, with Kokarva, vedhla, Akota, Baloya which is clothes and sleeveless shirts, wear a turban or their capital at Thatta. The most famous of worn on the wrists and Nathli is worn on the a piece of cloth called melkhayu. The women these rulers was Jam Nizamuddin. The n o s e . B h a r w a d m e n a l s o w e a r wear large size petticoat and a sleeveless Samma dynasty left its mark in Sindh and different type of or naments in Balochistan by building magnificent structures including the necropolis of kings and royalties in Thatta and many more ruins.

Bharwad tribe – The Bharwads are shepherds from Saurashtra. The term Bharwad is said to be a modified form of the word badawad, from the Gujarati words bada meaning sheep and wada meaning meaning enclosure. This name was said to be acquired by the Bharwad on the account of their traditional

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Harijan from Mahatma Gandhi. The origin of Meghwal is from Marwar, in Rajasthan; but now they are spread over Kachchh. Generally the Meghwal tribe live outside the villages. This tribe has its excellence in cotton weaving, wool weaving. The Meghwal women do fine embroidery and designing work. Another specialty of this tribe is leather embroidery. The Meghwal people, who are located in Kutch's Banni area and who migrated from state Rajasthan their fingers, on neck, armlet and one earring generally use Kharek, Khanbira and Kudi at the end by chotla. Men wear dhoti and kurta which are known as 'Variyo'. This tribe is also Stiches to do their style embroidery. They (short with many folds). These clothes were known because of their traditional folk song also give outline to the embroidery of satin designed especially for the protection from such as Garbi, Hinch. Folk songs are like stitch and mirror designs like popular Mutwa harsh climate in deserts and to distinguish Duba, Garba and Bhajan, are sung on the embroidery work. This tribe also makes them from others. occasions such as Sagai, Lagan and decorative items like waistcoats, wall Bharawano. hanging, pouches by using Kharek stitch and Khoja tribe - The Khojas are a group of also the bracelets, beadwork, Moti Bharat, diverse peoples - originally practitioners of Vaghri tribe -sometimes pronounced as belts and toys. Married women of the tribe, Hinduism - originating from the Indian Bagri are said to have derived its name from wear a gold nose ring, which is known as Subcontinent. Derived from the Persian the Sanskrit wagura, meaning a net, and Vagri Velado. For them it is a symbol of marriage; khwaja, a term of honour, the word Khoja are said to have gotten this name on name on they wear it only on particular occasions. The referred to those converted to Nizari Ismaili account of the fact that many Vagri were beadwork, which is made by the Meghwal Islam in the Indian sub-continent from professional hunters. During the Colonial consists of bracelets and neck chokers. The about the 13th century onward. More period, Vagri were listed under the Criminal demand for bead item is mostly during the particularly, it included certain groups, Tribes Act, 1871, as being a tribe "addicted wedding ceremonies such as Mangal Sutra, predominantly from Gujarat and Kutch, to the systematic commission of non- Indoni, and Akhiyan; it used to cover face of who retained strong Indian ethnic roots and bailable offences." They suffered greatly as a brides, all these items are made by the plastic caste customs while sustaining their Muslim result of this decision, and are still suffering beads. Women of this tribe wear chokers in religious identity under continual threats of the consequence as they now fall within the their neck. persecution. denotified tribe category. They speak Vaghriboli which is very closely related to Rawal Tribe - The Rawal is a title used by Koli tribe - The Koli people are historically Gujarati and Gujarati with outsiders. The Hindu Rajpoots in India. With the passage an ethnic group native to Rajasthan, Vaghri are landless, and depend on of time and due to different political, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, agricultural labour. They are also involved in cultural and social changes in Indian society, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana states. The Kolis the raising poultry, sheep, goat, and cattle, as some of Rawals are converted to different of Gujarat were the largest caste cluster in well as selling vegetables. In Gujarat, the religions e.g. Sikh and Muslims. The tribe the state, comprising around 24 per cent of Vagri are Hindu, and their main tribal deties was associated with the occupation of the population, and were spread widely. are Kalika and Meldi mata. hikmat (the practice of traditional Muslim They remained educationally and Unani medicine) and astrology. occupationally disadvantaged compared to Prajapati tribe - also known as Kumhar or other communities. Kumbhar. Prajapati means protector and Naik tribe – belong to the Banjara preserver (King) and is a caste or community community are usually described as nomadic Pagi tribe – they are a sub group from the of India, mainly belonging to the Hindu people from the Indian state of Rajasthan, Koli community and are also disputed to religion. Kumhar literally means potter in North-West Gujarat, and Western Madhya have Rajput origins. The traditional Indian languages, and pottery is the Pradesh and Eastern Sindh province of pre- occupation of the tribe is agriculture, and traditional occupation of Prajapatis beside independence Pakistan. Women are known they include both landowners and governing the Praja (People). The Kumhar to wear colorful and beautiful costumes like sharecroppers. community is found throughout India, but phetiya (as ghagra) and kanchalli (as top) and Khalifa tribe - are a predominantly Muslim mainly in the northern states of India. have mehendi tattoos on their hands. The caste based in Valsad District, Gujarat, India. Traditionally, the Kumhars have been the dress is considered fancy and attractive by They are traditionally barbers and musicians. followers of the Dharmic religions Western cultures. They use mirror chips and (especially Hinduism), but many adopted often coins to decorate it. Women put on Compiled from several un-published Islam after the Muslim conquest in the thick bangles(bandiya) on their arms (patli). and internet sources by Goldin Quadros Indian subcontinent. Their ornaments are made up of silver rings, E-mail:[email protected] coins, chain and hair pleats are tied together Harijans - Meghwal tribe got its name SACON ENVIS Newsletter - Sarovar Saurabh 7 Vol. 8(4), 2012. ISSN: 0972-3153 Abstracts from Published Literature Marsh Bird Community Index of Biotic Integrity: A Key to Study an Ecological Condition of Wetlands Sejal Patel and Nishith Dharaiya Department of Life Sciences, Hemchandracharya North Gujarat University, Patan 384265 - (Gujarat) India Email: [email protected], [email protected] Sengupta, M. and Dalwani, R. (Editors). 2008 Proceedings of Taal2007: The 12th World Lake Conference: 558- 561

Aquatic ecosystems have significant impact on migratory bird condition of the wetland were identified by studying the hydrology, species. As the Gujarat state, western India falls on an important geology, vegetation, pressure. Apart from these the Index of Marsh migratory route of many migrant waterfowls, it is necessary to Bird Community Integrity (IMBCI) were worked out for each wetland monitor the wetlands for its ecological condition, anthropogenic as well as the bird species were used to determine whether wetland pressure and the species composition. The present research is a pilot habitat characteristics influence marsh bird community and vice study of a long term research on such important wetlands through versa. Marsh bird community integrity shows a threshold response to out the entire North Gujarat region. The study was started with two urban development at local scales. IMBCI scores, combined with the important wetlands of the region. Total 88 species were detected at identification of a land use threshold, can be easy to interpret and may 12 point count locations distributed in two bird sanctuaries of help communicate complex ecological data to natural resource Gujarat viz. Thol Lake Bird Sanctuary (TLBS) and Nal Sarovar Bird manager and conservation planners. Sanctuary (NSBS) as a pilot research to develop a key methodology to study the major wetland ecosystems in the region. The ecological Keywords: Bird Community, Biotic integrity, wetland monitoring

Biomonitoring of selected freshwater macrophytes to assess lake trace element contamination: a case study of Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary, Gujarat, India J.I. Nirmal KUMAR1)#*, Hiren SONI1) and Rita N. KUMAR2) 1)#Head, P.G. Department of Environmental Sciences, Institute of Science & Technology for Advanced Studies & Research (ISTAR), Vallabh Vidyanagar – 388 120, Gujarat, India 2)Head, Department of Biosciences & Environmental Sciences, N.V. Patel College of Pure & Applied Sciences, Vallabh Vidyanagar – 388 120, Gujarat, India *e-mail corresponding author: [email protected] J. Limnol., 65(1): 9-16, 2006

A biomonitoring study was carried out at Nal Sarovar Bird falls within normal range, while that of Co, Ni and Cu were within the Sanctuary, a proposed Ramsar site, Gujarat State, India, to ascertain critical range. However, Zn showed the highest concentration and the degree of trace element contamination. The study focused on alarming toxicity levels, which is considered as one of the most assessment of trace element contamination in certain aquatic hazardous pollutants in Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary. Certain aquatic macrophytes to be used as biomonitors, in comparison with the macrophytes species are also proposed as biomonitors for the sediments (abiotic monitor) for heavy metal pollution. Good investigated heavy metal pollutants. Such result was significant in the information was provided by analyzing roots, stems and leaves of plant species such as Ipomoea aquatica and Phragmites karka, which are native aquatic plants (biomonitors) represented by eight the two most useful species in biomonitoring studies due to their species:Bergia odorata, Hydrilla verticillata, Ipomoea aquatica, Najas ability to accumulate elements in high concentration in the roots and graminea, Nelumbo nucifera, Phragmites karka, Typha angustata and their availability throughout the year. The results showed the Vellisnaria spiralis, along with surface sediments and water, were significant difference in accumulation rate of some metals like Zn, Cu analyzed for Cd, Co, Cu, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn contamination. The and Ni in different plant organs, which showed more accumulation in highest concentrations of the trace elements were measured in root than that of stem and leaves. Also, there is a high positive Ipomoea aquatica and the lowest in Bergia odorata. Based on the correlation between combinations of different metal-pairs in either concentration and toxicity status observed in the lake's vegetation, plant's root, stem or leaf system. the six metals are arranged in the following decreasing order: Zn> Cu > Ni > Co > Pb > Cd. Compared with the standard, normal and Keywords: freshwater macrophytes, trace element, contamination, critical toxicity range in plants, the detected values of Cd and Pb Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary

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WETLAND ECOSYSTEMS AND COASTAL HABITAT DIVERSITY IN GUJARAT, INDIA Oswin D. Stanley Gujarat Ecology Commission, GERI Campus, Race Course Road, Vadodara, Gujarat, India

Journal of Coastal Development Volume 7, Number 2, February 2004 : 49-64 Wetland ecosystems are the major contributors for the nations’ wildlife biodiversity, productivity and economy. The paper elaborates the habitat diversity of wetlands in Gujarat, India, the floral and faunal diversity of each ecosystem, the major industrial and development pressures posed by the mangroves and coastal ecosystems. Thus indicates the significance and necessity for wetland habitat conservation. Key Words: Biodiversity Hotspots, Wetlands, Mangroves, Corals, Pressures.

COMPARATIVE ASSESSMENT OF MXL CLASSIFIER AND KNOWLEDGE BASED CLASSIFIER FOR DELINEATION OF WITHIN WETLAND FEATURES USING RESOURCES AT-1 LISS-III DATA Rafiq Sethwala, Reshu Agarwal, M.B.Dhodakia and J.K.Garg L.D.College of Engineering, Ahmedabad University School of Environment Management, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Delhi E-mail : [email protected]: [email protected] ISH JOURNAL OF HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING VOL., 16, 2010, NO.2 An automated knowledge - based classifier has been developed to the decipher wetland features (water, aquatic vegetation - floating as well as submerged, mud flats) in Nal Sarovar wetland, Gujarat, India from Resources at - 1 LISS - III data acquired on November 24, 2005. Water has further been classified into three qualitative turbidity classes (low turbid, moderate turbid and high turbid). Same dataset has also been classified for wetland features using Maximum Likelihood classifier, Comparison of the results has brought out that overall accuracy of wetland feature delineation and Kappa statistic of Knowledge based classifier (87.78% and 0.85) are better in comparison to MXL classifier derived wetland features (80.22 and 0.76). Estimated total area of wetland features in Nal Sarovar using knowledge based and MXL classifiers is 106.138 sq.km respectively out of 139.24 sq.km wetland area. Keywords: LISS III, Wetlands, Remote sensing and MXL classifier

Bibliography of some of the studies done on the Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary Baskaran, S. T., 1999. Nalsarovar: a paradigm for wetland. In: The dance of the Sarus: essays of a wandering naturalist. 154–157. Baskaran, S. T. (ed.) New Delhi: Oxford University Press Gauriar, S., 1982. A day at Nalsarovar Water Bird Sanctuary. NLBW 21 (12): 8–10. Gauriar, S., 1982. A day at Nalsarovar Water Bird Sanctuary. NLBW 22 (3-4): 7–9. GEER, 1998. Environmental Impact Assessment of Sardar Sarovar Project on Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary. Final Technical Report submitted to Narmada Planning Group, Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited, Gandhinagar. GEER 2011 Dissertation supported and guided by GEER Foundation. Understanding Waterbird Profile of Nalsarovar Wetland in Relation to the Long-term changes in its Aquatic Habitat Components. Dissertation student: Shri Rahul Talegaonkar, M S University, Vadodara. Jaffri, D., 1995. Pied Harrier in Nalsarovar, Gujarat. NLBW 35 (3): 56. Muni, N., 2004. Waterfowl census at Nalsarovar. Flamingo 2 (1&2): 2–3. Nature Club, S., 1990. Disturbance to birds at Nalsarovar. Wetlands & Waterfowl Newsletter. 2: 11. Nirmal Kumar J. I., Hiren Soni and Rita N Kumar, 2007a Anthropogenic Pressures of Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary, Gujarat, India International Journal of Nature and Conservation. 19 (2): 209-231. Nirmal Kumar, J.I., Hiren Soni, and Rita Kumar 2007b Patterns of site-specific variation of waterbirds community, abundance and diversity in relation to seasons in Nal Lake Bird Sanctuary, Gujarat, India. International Journal of Bird Populations. 8: 1-20. (USA) Nirmal Kumar J.I. and Rita N. Kumar, 2000 Ecological Studies of Certain Protected Areas of Gujarat with special reference to Anthropogenic Pressures. Final Technical Report. Gujarat State Forest Department, Gandhinagar. pp. 1-287. Pandit, S. J., M. M. Sharma and G. A. Patel (2001): Management Plan of Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary (2002-03 to 2007-07) (Unpublished)., Gujarat State Forest Department, Gandhinagar, India, 122 pp Pandit, S. J., 2004. Waterfowl census at Thol and Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuaries: 2004. Flamingo 2 (1&2): 5. Pandya, P., 2007. My experience at Nalsarovar Waterfowl Census, 2006. Flamingo 4 (1&2): 14–15 (2006). Parasharya, B. M., 2004. Waterfowl census at Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary: Some important records. Flamingo 2 (1&2): 4–5. Prasad S, Pandharinath K and Gupta SK. 1997 Lake Quaternary Evolution of the Nal Region, Gujarat, India. In: Changes in Global Climate due to Natural and Human Activities (Eds) SN Das and RS Thakur. Proceedings of IGBP Symposium, Allied Publishers Ltd. Sama, K., & Kamat, H., 2007. Sighting of White-winged Black Tern at Nalsarovar. Flamingo 5 (1&2): 11. Suthar DC, Ramani KR and Patel GA. 1991. Management Plant for Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary, Gujarat State Forest Department, Gandhinagar. Tatu K., 1995 Ecological Study of Nal Sarovar (Gujarat) with an emphasis on its Floristic and Avifaunal profile using Satellite Remote Sensing Technique. Ph.D. Thesis. Gujarat University, Ahmedabad. Tatu, K., J. S. Parihar and M. M. Kimothi (1999): Remote sensing for wetland monitoring and waterfowl habitat management- A Cae Study of Nal Sarovar (Gujarat), APH Publishers, New Delhi, India, 185pp. Tere, A., 2005. Communal roosting of House Crows at Nalsarovar. Flamingo 3 (2): 4–5. Urfi, A. J., 2000. A bird count at Nalsarovar: experiences of a participant. NLBW 40 (3): 33–34.

SACON ENVIS Newsletter - Sarovar Saurabh 9 Vol. 8(4), 2012. ISSN: 0972-3153 Article Crimson choreography Source:http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/crimson-choreography The graceful flamingo is falling victim to electrocution by high-tension cables at its breeding ground in west Gujarat A flock of flamingos are the most beautiful birds with their flaming shades of rosy pink. Collectively wading in blue lagoons, the pink birds make a profound statement for any casual onlooker. However, for the birdwatcher, they are a thrilling sight to behold when viewed through binoculars. It is not just because they are tall and slim but they also have gorgeous contours. Above all, they are not easy to find because of their rarity in the Indian sub-continent. When on the wing, the flamingos' flamboyance is even more fascinating as they light up the azure sky with pleasing plumage. Their extra long necks and lanky legs make them look like flying sticks attached with feathers. These fragile birds are presently in trouble in their favourite feeding and breeding grounds at the Rann of Kutch in the hinterlands of western Gujarat. Here they often either accidentally collide with or get electrocuted by high-tension cables. Ornithologists from the region lament that they witness falling flamingos across the region, as they virtually drop dead in dozens. Though no authentic figures are available to substantiate the death numbers, the Gujarat Forest Department admits it has recorded accident fatalities, especially in west Gujarat. The death zone is mostly concentrated in areas where there are power lines to and fro from the grid. Though no systemic study has been done to estimate the number of flamingo deaths taking place, a sample survey by ornithologists Anika Tere and B.M. Parasharya mapped seven sites in Kutch, Bhavnagar and Jamnagar where high tension cables run close to flamingo breeding sites. With very few flamingo breeding grounds across the world, the necessity of taking steps to save them is paramount. Ms. Tere, who is with Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, says, “During my studies on flamingos, I discovered that collusion with power lines occurs regularly and so it is prudent that power cables should be laid underground even if it involves more money and effort. This can be taken up not only in Gujarat but across the country so that other big birds like cranes, vultures and storks are also saved from collisions and electrocutions.” India hosts 1,250 bird species of which there are seed-eaters, insect-eaters, flesh-eaters, fruit-eaters, nectar-suckers and the array of beaks they deploy in feeding is astounding. But the flamingo has the weirdest beak of all that is large and crooked as they are niche filter feeders. Extraordinarily structured, the beak is for specialised eating habits as it feeds on microscopic water plants and animals. While feeding, the bird lowers its beak upside down in the g ooey mud to sweep and seep to separate org anic

microbes with comb filters in its voluminous bill. Strangely, even blue whales, the largest creatures on earth, have similar oral features and also feed on tiny organisms. While the food, in the form of miniature crustaceans, worms, algae, plankton and aquatic insects is retained and absorbed, the brine and grime is filtered out. Hence, the flamingos devote long sessions for breakfast, lunch, dinner as they truly have a beak to fit the bill. Of the six species of flamingos in the world, only two dwell in our country — the greater and lesser flamingos. Both species are choosy in selecting feeding areas as they prefer shallow water bodies. On October 20 while at Aurangabad with a fellow birdwatcher, we learnt that flamingos had arrived at Jayakwadi dam on the Godavari. We scurried to the site at dawn to find flamingos frolicking in the backwaters unmindful of our close presence. There were sixty gangly flamingos sharing shore space with 5,000 terns and other water birds. The word 'flamingo' comes from the Spanish and Latin word 'flamenco' which means fire, and obviously refers to the colour of the feathers. A group of flamingos is called a 'stand' as they gregariously rest on one leg or 'flamboyance' as they flutter gracefully in the air. I witnessed thousands of them enacting the same in the Nal Sarovar sanctuary, situated 77 away from Ahmedabad. Unfortunately, insufficient rains, inadequate water bodies and polluted lakes are some of the many problems faced by flamingos today. Hence, they desperately roam the countryside in search of undisturbed shallow waters filled with their favourite food.

10 SACON ENVIS Newsletter - Sarovar Saurabh Vol. 8(4), 2012. ISSN: 0972-3153