At the Sardarpur Wildlife Sanctuary, the first-ever survey of birds was conducted by the Forest Department in association with bird experts from all across the state. This group of ornithologists from Wildlife Warriors, has identified 81 species of birds in the sanctuary, and as per claims, many of them out of this lot are not usually spotted in this region. Sardarpur Sanctuary has been previously known amidst bird watchers for the spotting of Lesser Florican, which is an endangered species and is the smallest of all in the bustard family.
Avifauna crucial for our ecosystem
As per reports, Madhya Pradesh government is working towards the “denotification of 318 sq km area from the sanctuary” as the farmers of Sardarpur have been demanding the authorities to have their fields removed from the sanctuary enclosure. The use of pesticides on the farmland had been further acting as a repelling factor for the endangered species. Now with this step forward by the government, there are hopes that rare species of birds will be returning to the skies here and it may also lead to a comeback of the Lesser Florican.
Pertaining to the bird survey, an Indore-based bird expert mentioned that the sanctuary is a protected haven for birds and they make up for an essential element in our ecosystem. He further added that when birds fly from one point to other, they take the seeds they have eaten with them and disperse them through their droppings. Through this process, the birds bring back plants that have been destroyed and similarly, they even carry them across the sea to new areas. Red-necked Falcon,
Out of the 81 winged travellers, Montagu’s Harrier, Pallid Harrier, Paddyfield Pipit, Short-toed Snake Eagle, Eurasian Collared-Doves are some of the names which have been highlighted.
