
Bird population doubles in Delhi’s Okhla sanctuary, shows bird census
The bird population has doubled in Okhla in the past one year, findings of the Asian Waterbird Census (AWC) 2017 have revealed. A total of 6,183 birds were counted at the Okhla Bird Sanctuary on Saturday, the first day of the census, by 10 volunteers.
“Last year, the presence of 46 water bird species with a total population of 3,113 was confirmed at the Okhla Bird Sanctuary as part of the Asian Waterbird Census 2016. The population has nearly doubled. This year the number of species sighted is more than last year as 53 different birds have been spotted,” ecologist TK Roy, Asian Waterbird Census Delhi state coordinator, Wetlands International South Asia, told HT.
According to him, most of these birds, however, belonged to primarily four species. “On Saturday, we spotted 1,207 Graylag Geese, 515 Northern Shoveler, Barheaded Geese 345 and 2,107 Eurasian Coot. The rest of the species sighted didn’t have such prominent numbers,” Roy said.
This year, six birds which are “threatened”, according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list, were also spotted. These are Black-headed Ibis, Painted Stork, Oriental Darter, Common Pochard, Black-tailed Godwit and Greater Spotted Eagle.
Read: Asian water bird census to start in Delhi this weekend
This census is being carried out simultaneously in 27 countries from January 7 to 21. For Delhi region, it is being done in three days till Monday in wetland sites like Okhla Bird Sanctuary, Surajpur wetland, Najafgarh drain and jheel, stretches of the Yamuna river and Sanjay Lake, and will see participation of more than 15 volunteers.
With the threat of bird flu in the last few months of 2016, the findings of this census clearly show that H5N8 influenza virus had nearly no impact on these birding hotspots. No deaths were reported from these wetland sites, except for Delhi zoo, which still remains under quarantine.
This yearly census is done in January with the aim of conservation and management of wetlands and water birds. The count is carried out at important wetlands and it helps in identifying and protecting new sites of importance for water birds. The result of the census and information are also used to promote the national water bird, wetland conservation and international cooperation.

Delhi among top 3 states with most ‘contaminated sites’
- The CPCB report released on Sunday said that there are over 112 sites in India that are contaminated by toxic and hazardous substances.

Pandemic phase of Covid-19 is over: Jain
- An infection is said to be endemic in a population when it is constantly maintained at a baseline level in a geographic area.

AAP smells a scam in Rani Jhansi flyover delay; baseless, charge, says BJP
- The BJP dismissed the allegations as “baseless” and hit back, saying that the AAP should answer why the construction of the Signature bridge in north-east Delhi faced delays.

Shots will stay free at all Delhi govt hospitals
- Appropriate allocation of funds in this regard will be made in the upcoming Delhi budget that is likely to be presented this week, he added .

Indian water gun manufacturers giving China a run for its money
- In February that year, just before Holi, he went back to the Sadar Bazar trader with the water gun he had produced and also the Chinese one.

Animal-friendly Ridge with no barbed fences
- Experts said such initiatives will ensure that the only continuous green space in the national capital is preserved.

9 who delivered babies in PCR vans to attend Women’s Day at Delhi police HQ
- A host of functions to honour women have also been scheduled at different police stations and DCP offices.

BJP plans new campaign to take on AAP after bypoll loss
- Adesh Gupta has also started ‘mandal pravas’ (stay in each municipal wards) to connect with the party workers and supporters.

Stations on Metro’s Red line revamped
- As part of the revamp, new CCTV cameras, with better technology for improved clarity, additional escalators, bird spikes to prevent tripping of the overhead electrification (OHE) due to bird menace, were also installed.

Gurdwara body starts dialysis hub
- The Panth Ratan Baba Harban Singh Ji Dialysis block in Bala Sahib hospital complex started treating patients from Sunday.

Delhiwale: The shrine’s best-kept secret
- Whatever, the two ascetics are buried next to each other, separated by a neem tree. For that reason, many consider the landmark as a twin shrine.

Batla House encounter: Delhi court to pronounce judgment tomorrow

DSGMC launches 'India's biggest' dialysis facility inside Gurudwara Bangla Sahib

Delhi Police seizes hukkas from restaurant, tweets 'pawri nahi ho rahi hai'
