Metro work will drive away at least 40 of 100 species from the park, say birdwatchers
Metro work will drive away at least 40 of 100 species from the park, say birdwatchers
Lalbagh may not sound as sweet anymore. The construction of the metro will eventually drive away most of the birds, believe avid birdwatchers.
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Fine feathered friends: A Motted Wood Owl, a Pond Heron and a Large White Breasted Kingfisher all seen at the botanical garden |
"It's a major blow," said M K Arun, a birdwatcher. "We will lose many birds that have been in Lalbagh for over 20 years. Visiting species too may not return," he said.
Of the 100 and odd species found in the park that include the coppersmith and white chick barbets, spotted owlets and mottled wood owls, at least 40 species of birds are expected to move.
Felling of trees, especially the exotic ones which provide homes for many species, has been named the primary cause of the birds' moving away.u00a0
Pollution and human interference because of metro aggravate the situation, birdwatchers say.u00a0
"Some species are very sensitive," said Sharath Babu, an environmentalist. "They migrate to the park over long distances as conditions here are ideal for their survival, but noise pollution and increased human traffic drive them away," he added.
However, experts also say the sacrifice is inevitable.
"Everyone should keep the city infrastructure in mind. Though the work affects the birds, we can restore them through other means, perhaps through the completed metro itself," said renowned environmentalist A N Yelappareddy.u00a0
Winter visitors Some of the species that migrate to Lalbagh from Western Ghats, even Siberia and other parts in northern hemisphere, during the cooler months:
>>Fly catchers such as Verditer fly catchers and the Asian brow fly catcher
>>Pelicans
>>Waders
>>Sand pipers
