On Tuesday, birders spotted a bronze-winged jacana with chicks at the pond
Veteran birder Sudip Ghosh, who has been photographing birds at Rabindra Sarobar for over 15 years, said the authorities should be more sensitive while handling environmental matters.
Birder Nandita Sarkar, who had first flagged the issue, said she was relieved that the cleaning of the lotus pond had been stopped. We must care for our environment and its inhabitants, not only humans but also birds and other organisms,” she said. Rabindra Sarobar staff said the water near the pond’s eastern edge had already been cleaned before an order was issued to stop the activity. Birders said plants in Paddapukur provide critical nesting cover and food support for several species. It is a favourite breeding habitat and supports a diverse population of flora and fauna,” said birder Avijit Dutta.
Kolkata : Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA), the agency that oversees the upkeep of Rabindra Sarobar, has suspended the unseasonal clean-up of Paddapukur, a water body inside the Sarobar grounds, after birders raised the alarm that the activity could destroy nesting sites of aquatic birds during the breeding season. The cleanup had begun last Saturday but was stopped after bird enthusiasts urged the authorities to halt the work. “The waterbirds can now rear their chicks without threat. The order came after authorities took note of concerns raised by birders over the possible damage to nests and habitats. “The clean-up had posed a serious threat to the inhabitants of the lake and the avian fauna that use these aquatic plants to make their nests and help their little ones survive. He added that the vegetation supports a food chain by providing algae, small aquatic insects and small fish, which are essential for birds and other organisms living in the water body.
TOI had reported on the issue on Sunday, highlighting the risk posed by clearing aquatic vegetation at this time of the year. On Tuesday, birders spotted a bronze-winged jacana with chicks and a white-breasted moorhen at the pond, reinforcing concerns that the waterbody is currently being used by breeding birds. On Tuesday morning, I saw bronze-winged jacanas foraging with the chicks.
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