Chidiya Udi Udi Udi...phurrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Every year from far across the various corners of the world, a number of migratory birds visit Delhi and make Yamuna river basin their home for a few months. It is a wonderful scene to look at these birds of different colours and sizes enjoying the river water and playing with each other. However, the Asian Water Bird Census - 2010 has revealed some very saddening facts for the bird lovers in Delhi and also its residents. The findings are summarized hereunder:

• 112 bar-headed geese came this year compared to 212 in 2009
• Number of gadwal was down to 72 from 302
• Northern Shoveler to 484 from 854
• Norther Pintail to 172 from 272
• Only 231 common coot were spotted in place of 355 in 2009
• The mixed flock of brown headed and black headed gull dropped to 345 from 877
• Number of common pochard fell drastically to 28 from 320 in 2009
• Somebirds which gave Delhi a miss this year includes avocet, bar-headed and black - tailed godwits, cob ducks and garganey
• Grey - leg geese remained constant at 411 insteas of 416 in 2009
• Number of Eurasian spoonbills increased from 16 to 6
• Common teal increased from 78 to 184 in 2009

Is there anyone saying "Yayyyyy", there are three species of birds whose numbers have gone up? This is how a typical climate skeptic or someone with "Kya Farak Padta Hai" attitude problem would react to the above information. I can still understand someone if he/she is wondering what impact does the above findings have.

To understand this, we must appreciate that if the number of birds are going down there must be some reason behind the same. One reason which is very apparent is the deteriorating condition of our river Yamuna. With 52% of Delhi's sewage being dumped into the river, the city's lifeline is turning into a "ganda nala", to which even birds have now refused to inhabit. The other factors which affect the migration of these birds are temperature and change of weather. These two factors are also self explanatory. The temperature is rising every year (2009 was the second most warmest year in the recorded history) and the change in weather is becoming as unpredictable as the mood of my girlfriend (if I would have have one). It is clear that summers are becoming longer and winters are not only becoming shorter but are also arriving late.

It is therefore easy to establish that climate change and increasing pollution in the city (both air and water) is contributing to the decreasing number of birds visiting our city. And hence, it is also correct to say that the above findings are an indication to we humans that something terribly wrong is happening to our city.

For a detailed analysis of other factors responsible for the above mentioned state, you can log on to http://yamunajiyeabhiyaan.blogspot.com/2010/03/migratory-bird-count-falls-sharply-in.html.

It is upto us to do some action else Delhi's winters will slowly and gradually lose their charm and romanticism. It is all about "Making your own choices"

Inputs : report published on The Hindu on March 08, 2010