Even as Gujarat is once again playing host to migratory birds,the number of winged guests flying into the state has decreased over the years. This is ascribed to the shrinking of many of its smaller water bodies,which had once sheltered the birds,due to lack of maintenance by the civic bodies. An ongoing study conducted by M S Universitys (MSU) Zoology department highlights the drastic decrease in the number of migratory birds at various ponds within Vadodara limits. The study also emphasises on the fact that it is the careless dumping of garbage that has resulted in the migratory birds changing their routes. We have been trying to make a comparison of the population of the migratory birds in the last 10 years at the various ponds in the city that attract birds in large numbers. One of them is the Harni pond. In the late 1990s,we had conducted a survey of the place for three years and spotted over 133 different species. But now,there are hardly around 70 species left, said Geeta Padate,MSUs Zoology department head. The pond was regularly visited by species such as saras cranes,shovelers,spoonbills,jacanas,shrikes and terrestrial birds. It is not urbanisation or extension of the city limits that has made the birds change their course,but the free dumping of garbage in the pond by residents of the adjoining areas. The area has almost not tree left for the birds to perch. We are sure if the pond is cleared and the place is instead converted into a recreational park,the birds will definitely come back, said Padate. Raju Vyas,an environment activist said: The haphazard urbanisation of the city has completely changed the ecological parameters of the ponds within the city. They are no longer favourable for a smooth flight of birds. But there are some ponds at the outskirts that can still be protected for the birds. The cleaning of the ponds needs to have technical precision.
