JOIN USOkhla bird sanctuary still facing apathy
Two months after the eco-sensitive zone was notified around the Okhla Bird Sanctuary, environmentalists claim no measures have been taken by the concerned authorities to check on the illegal contructions in the demarcated area.
Activities which degrade the ecosystem around the sanctuary have been on a rise after the eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) was declared by the Central government and have come under criticism from environmentalists and bird lovers.
The government in August this year had notified an area up to 100 metres from the eastern, western, and southern boundary and up to 1.27 km from the northern boundary, which extends up to DND flyover across the riverbed situated in Uttar Pradesh’s Gautam Buddh Nagar district and southeast district of NCT Delhi, as the eco-sensitive zone of the sanctuary.
The sanctuary is known as a haven for over 300 bird species and attracts migratory birds from across the world. This year, while the migratory birds have started arriving in large numbers in other areas, the number of birds at the sanctuary has dwindled.
Human interference
Experts blame it on the human interference and illegal activities like rampant construction in many areas within the notified ESZ, due to which the number of local and migratory birds is dwindling.
Besides the illegal construction of a two-floor structure in the buffer zone of the northern periphery, which was reported by Deccan Herald earlier, a large grassland is now being used by people as a playground for practising cricket.
“There is a lot of human interference within the eco-sensitive zone which has disturbed the natural habitat of the birds. Two months have passed since the eco-sensitive zone was declared and there is absolutely no initiative by the authorities to control activites,” said Ecologist and Conservationalist T K Roy.
Within 50 metres of the eastern boundary of the zone, which used to serve as a corridor for the birds, the power grid department has chopped off the tree stems and branches along the high-tension wires. According to Roy, the department did not hold any discussion with the Noida authority before “thoroughly chopping off trees.”
Big fence
“Also, along the western side, there was a big fencing initially which was later broken by the local people,” he said.
The overall impact of the illegal activities is that the natural habitat of terrestrial and migratory birds has been disturbed.
“Usually around this part of the year, the birds arrive in large numbers at the sanctuary. But, this time, there number is very less.
“There is not much diversity also as only five species have been seen till now. Even if the birds arrive, they don’t stay for long at the sanctuary due to disturbance. In other areas such as Surajpur, Sultanpur Park, Najafgarh drain, they have arrived in good numbers comparatively,” Roy said.
Earlier, environmentalist and bird watcher Anand Arya had written to CEO of Noida Authority, Rama Raman and Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) K K Singh regarding illegal construction in various areas but the authorities are yet to take any action in this connection.