Breach in dam forces migratory birds to leave

Wildlife and forest officials who are camping at the barrage site have threatened to act against Irrigation department officials under the Wildlife Conservation Act if the birds are disturbed further.

‘‘A large number of migratory birds are still sitting across the barrage in some water holes, hoping like us that situation would improve after the repair of the earthen dam,’’ said Shrikant Chandola, Uttaranchal Chief Wildlife Warden.

A breach occurred in the dam on Friday evening following the opening of floodgates of the Assan barrage. As the barrage went dry, the water from the bird area also started receding.

Flood gates of the barrage were immediately closed as irrigation and wildlife officials rushed to the site. Repair work on the dam has started.