Hubballi: Poaching of migratory birds in historical lakes in Dharwad has raised concern among environmentalists. The killing of birds is rampant in Navilur lake on National Highway and Kelageri lake which is the brainchild of Sir M Visvesvaraya and built in 1911 to meet drinking water and irrigation needs.
Poachers holding air gun to shoot the birds are commonly sighted surrounding the lakes in the morning and evening everyday. Enraged over poaching activities, the bird lovers have expressed anger against the negligence of the authorities concerned.
As many as 40 species of migratory birds like bar-headed geese, pelican, spoonbill, grey heron, white and black ibis, pin-tailed duck visit these lakes in November and December.
These birds spend time for several days during winter as these lakes are ideal feeding ground where abundant water hyacinth is grown. But, the feeding ground has reduced to a great extent due to encroachment of the lakes over the years. Now, shooting undertaken by the poachers surrounding the lakes has jeopardised the lives of these migratory birds. The lake water is also being contaminated due to heavy flow of effluent in the form of washing clothes, cattle and drainage water.
The rising stinking condition and encroachment has reduced the wetland, leading to considerable reduction in migratory birds visiting the lakes. The locals claim that the minor irrigation department had undertaken the rejuvenation of Navalur lake to facilitate fishing activities. Still, the flow of effluent has raised the stinking condition surrounding the lake.
“People bathe, wash the clothes and cattle in the lakes, causing release of heavy phosphorous in the water from the detergent soap used by them. This is harmful to the breeding ground of the migratory birds. There is urgent need to give proper protection to these lakes to stop poaching of birds. Patrolling should be undertaken in these areas,” said Harshavardhan Sheelavant, president of Nature Research Centre and syndicate member of Karnataka University.
Slum-dwellers eat and sell female quails (coturnix) visiting the lakes by laying the trap with male bird inside it surrounding the lake.
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