Migratory waterbirds' population dwindle in Manipur lake

The migratory ducks and geese population have dwindled in Manipur’s Loktak due to heavy human pressure except in few pockets of Loktak, the largest freshwater lake in Northeast India and Keibul Lamjao, the only floating National Park in the world, according to Indian Bird Conservation Network (IBCN) Manipur.

“The population of resident duck species lesser whistling duck and migratory water-bird Eurasian Coot locally known as Ucheck porom are stable and they are the most abundant waterbirds in Loktak," said state coordinator RK Birjit of IBCN.

On Feb. 5, the IBCN, Manipur which had been officially coordinating the Loktak Waterbird Census activities for the last 15 years successfully conducted the bird census at 50 different counting sites at Loktak Lake in Bishnupur district. The coordination programme was held as a part of the Asian Waterbird Count under the directive of Bombay Natural History Society, Mumbai, Birdlife International, and Wetland International, in association with other concerned stakeholders.

The migratory birds used to spend three-four winter months at Loktak, including the 40 sq km Keibul Lamjao National Park on its south western part. The park is dotted with phumdis or floating biomass that sustain several species of animals including the rare Sangai or brow-antlered deer, Manipur’s state animal.

However the population of the migratory birds visiting the lake is under active monitoring even though there are reports of spotting many species, the state coordinator Birjit observed.

A total of 50,725 waterbird including migratory bird population belonging to 65 species visited Loktak in 2015 against 32,852 waterbird belonging to 57 species in 2014, according to a bird census report.

The 236.21 sq km Loktak, about 50 km south of state capital Imphal, has had issues with encroachers, overfishing and a barrage associated with a hydroelectric project. 

According to Ramsar site criteria, a wetland is considered as internationally important if it regularly supports 20,000 or more waterbirds.

Interestingly, some of the rare migratory waterbirds such as Common shelduck and Ruddy shelduck which have their breeding grounds in Euro-Siberian region and central Asia, were sighted in Yaralpat wetland which was once a swampy area in Imphal East district on Thursday.

Yaralpat wetland in Manipur's Imphal east district, was among the selected seven wetlands of Manipur for conservation efforts.

On sighting the Common shelduck -locally called Thangong-Mang and Ruddy shelduck or Nganu thangong, RK Birjit added, Common shelduck is not frequented much in Loktak unlike Ruddy shelduck.

(Imphal, EMN)