PROTECTION OF WETLAND AREAS FOR MIGRATORY BIRDS

PROTECTION OF WETLAND AREAS FOR MIGRATORY BIRDS

Uttar Pradesh Special –

                   Current affairs for wetland and environmental protection.

Why in News:

• Recently, thousands of migratory birds that arrived there have gone back due to premature draining of lake water from Haiderpur wetland area in western UP.
• The lives of many aquatic animals are in danger. A large number of fish have also died.

Key points:

• Due to lack of water, this entire area has become a threat to the aquatic life.
• The Union Environment Ministry intervened in the matter and directed the state government to stop the drainage.
• Environment Ministry has also instructed the state government to make water arrangements for the protection of migratory birds.
• In fact, the withdrawal of water from this area was done under pressure from farmers who complained of water-logging in their fields.
• The work of water management is done jointly by the Irrigation Department and the Forest Department in this area.
• More than three hundred species of birds come to this region during the winter season by the end of February or mid-March.

Haiderpur Wetland Area:

• Thousands of exotic birds are seen chirping in the Haiderpur wetland area on the border of Muzaffarnagar and Bijnor districts during the winter season.
• This area was recognized as Ramsar site last year.
• Spread over seven thousand hectares between the Ganges and Sonali rivers, this area is an important center of biodiversity.
• Being a part of Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary, it already comes under protected category.
• This wetland is a Ramsar site of international importance.
• Haiderpur Wetland is a man-made lake situated in an area of about seven thousand hectares of Bijnor Ganga Barrage.
•  This lake was created during the construction of the Middle Ganga barrage in the year 1984 so that more water goes into this lake during floods.
• Many animals including deer, dolphins, turtles, alligators, dozens of species of trees and plants, more than three hundred species of birds and many other aquatic animals are also found here.

Wetland Area

• According to the definition of a Ramsar site, a wetland area is a place where there is water for at least eight months in a year and where more than two hundred species of birds are present.
• A conference was held on February 2, 1971 in the city of Ramsar in Iran, in which an agreement regarding the conservation of wetland area was reached among the participating countries.
• This agreement came into effect from 21 December 1975.
• As of August 2022, there were a total of 75 Ramsar sites in India covering an area of 13,26,677 hectares.
• India is one of the contracting parties to the Ramsar Convention signed in Ramsar, Iran in 1971.
• India signed it on February 1, 1982.
• Tamil Nadu has the highest number of 14 Ramsar sites in India. After this there are 10 sites of Ramsar in Uttar Pradesh.

Total Ramsar sites in Uttar Pradesh (year declared):

Way forward:

• In the interest of farmers and to prevent migration of migratory birds, water should be gradually drained from this area.
• Environmentalists say that the withdrawal of water from wetlands should be banned under the Wildlife Act and the Wetland Areas Act.
• Irrigation department should coordinate with forest department before draining water.
• Water drainage should be planned keeping in view the migratory pattern of birds.
• Irrigation department should be instructed to stop the withdrawal of water from the wetland area so that necessary water is available for the migratory birds.
• Environmentalists are apprehensive that the drought of this region will adversely affect the flora and fauna as well as the overall ecology. Hence water management is necessary to maintain migratory bird presence.
• Nominating these sites to the Ramsar list will help in the conservation and management of wetlands and efficient use of their resources.

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Main Exam Question-

Considering the importance of wetlands in Uttar Pradesh, its conservation is essential. Express your opinion in this context.