Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary which has put Rajasthan on world tourism map is now a picture of neglect, with continuing scarcity of water which worsened last year and claimed hundreds of hatchlings, nature lovers say.
The Irrigation Department which had agreed to provide adequate water to the sanctuary, a Natural Heritage site, could not keep the promise saying that villagers refused to release water from Panchana dam, says P K Sen, Director Wildlife and Tiger at Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF).
Bharatpur Sanctuary, which is the last wetland in Yamuna water planes, besides being known as the only wintering ground of the rare Sociable lapwing, also used to attract about 380 bird species from world over. But if officials continue to remain indifferent to the problem, the park would soon become a thing of the past, Sen says.
Officials in the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests, however, say that they have not received any such information from the state government which is supposed to ake care and facilitate functioning of the National heritage site.
"If they (state government) asks us for help we will definitely consider but, so far, we have not received any such information about the park from them," they say.
{{/usCountry}}"If they (state government) asks us for help we will definitely consider but, so far, we have not received any such information about the park from them," they say.
{{/usCountry}}The WWF has asked the officials at the Department of Irrigation (Rajasthan) to immediately intervene and ensure adequate availability of flowing water and implement a range of livelihood support strategies for communities in the region to reduce their dependence on the natural resources of the park, he says.
If required we will also write to the Chief Minister of the state and the Prime Minister to intervene and save the park. We would not even hesitate to go to the court to save the site that is a home to a range of plant species, the scientist says.
The park not only offer birdwatcher a visual treat, but is also an open laboratory and learning centre for those who want to study these rare species, he says.
Nowhere in the world can one see these many species, he says.
Water requirement of the 29-square kilometre park stands at about 500 metre cubit feet (Mcft) during the season, which has not been the case for the last three-four years. Situation became worse last year with only 18 Mcft available during the last season, Director Freshwater and Wetland Programmes at the International Organisation Dr Parikshit Gautam says.
Shortage of water forced birds to leave their chicks behind in the park. They flew to safer places, while monkeys and crows feasted on their chicks, he says.
Water table of the park is fast depleting and this is adversely affecting the site, as the plants on which the migratory birds feed on, need moisture to grow, he says.
We need water only during the season. If water is supplied throughout the year, it would also damage the park, Sen says.
The park besides attracting migratory birds also attracts lots of tourists and benefit local people. Closing of the park would harm the local people as their employment would be jeopardized, he says.
About 50 per cent of the Bharatpur's economy is dependent on the park, he says.
Wetland in the park has already shrunk to nine square kilometer from 11.3 and prosopis (thorny bushes) is slowly converting wetlands into woodland, he says.
The plant species, which has no food value, was earlier specially brought from Mexico to maintain the greenery of the park, he says.
To maintain the characteristics of the park the only available water source is the river Gambhir at Panchana.
Boaring of tube wells would not be of any help as to maintain the ecology of the park. Instead it needs algae, bacteria, fish and food material for birds and their small ones which comes with the river water, Gautam adds.