Powerlines around the Keetham Bird Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh are proving to be fatal for birds migrating to the state to spend the winter in a warmer climate.
Agra,UPDATED: Nov 21, 2022 07:08 IST
A large number of birds have faced untimely death after getting entangled in the high-voltage power lines passing through the sanctuary to nearby villages. (Photo: Dr Devashish Bhattacharya)
By Siraj Qureshi: Hundreds of local and migratory birds flock to the Keetham Lake and Bird Sanctuary to spend the winter in a warmer climate and raise their young ones.
However, the bird sanctuary is now under threat by the development projects in the area, endangering the lives of the migratory birds who come to roost in the sanctuary.
Recently, a large number of birds have faced untimely death after getting entangled in the high-voltage power lines passing through the sanctuary to nearby villages, enraging the environmentalists who are demanding that the powerlines be either relocated or buried underground.
SARUS CRANES
Environmentalist and wildlife enthusiast Dr Devashish Bhattacharya told India Today that a few days earlier, he witnessed two pairs of Sarus Cranes take to flight in the marshes near the sanctuary, only to get entangled in the high-voltage powerlines. One of the Cranes could not change direction in time and died of electrocution.
He said that the Sarus Cranes are the state birds of Uttar Pradesh, and they need to be protected at all costs.
However, despite regular reminders to the forest department and UP Power Corporation Ltd. to shift the power lines, nothing has been done so far, resulting in the unfortunate deaths of several migratory and local birds.
Also, he said, the Northern Bypass being constructed to connect the Gwalior Road to Yamuna Expressway is bound to pose a threat to the birds arriving in the sanctuary, as it is being constructed within the ecologically sensitive zone of the sanctuary.
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Forest ranger R K Singh told India Today that it is the effort of the forest department that the migratory birds do not face any problems. Still, the power corporation is responsible for shifting the powerlines. They have written to the power corporation several times for the shifting of the powerlines but to no avail.
UNFORTUNATE DEATH
A senior forest official told India Today that the Black Headed Ibis, Painted Storks, and Sarus cranes are some of the birds currently roosting in the Keetham Bird Sanctuary. The Sarus Cranes are over 1 meter tall, with a wingspan of 1.5 meters, and weigh up to 5 kg. The incident of Sarus Crane’s death from electrocution was unfortunate, and the power department will be again reminded that the power lines need to be shifted or taken underground as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, several Gray Herons have also started arriving in the Keetham Sanctuary. The Gray Herons are similar in size to the Sarus Cranes, but their wingspans are larger, and compared to the Sarus, they arrive from Europe and are facing considerable danger due to the low-strung high-voltage lines around the sanctuary.
Speaking to India Today, Agra Tourist Welfare Chamber secretary Vishal Sharma said that the Keetham Bird Sanctuary could be a major attraction for eco-tourists coming to Agra, but the insensitive attitude of government departments is killing this wonderful habitat for rare migratory birds. He said that the wildlife department needs to act fast; otherwise, the construction of the Northern Bypass and powerlines will become a major threat to the birds, forcing them to avoid this sanctuary.
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