VADODARA: In 2021, the declaration of Wadhwana, 45 km from Vadodara city, as a Ramsar site generated tremendous excitement, with the lake being the second in Gujarat to earn the coveted tag.
However, migratory birds don’t seem to find this wetland of ‘international importance’ a haven like be fore. In 2019, the sprawling 5.7 sq km wetland hosted 98,000 migratory birds, but the latest census in January 2024 revealed a worrying drop to 54,171 birds.
The primary reason behind this decline, sources say, is the fluctuating water levels caused by ongoing dis cord between the irrigation and forest departments.
Forest officials said that the fluctuating water levels in the lake, due to the irrigation department’s supply, is one of the reasons behind the birds keeping away.
‘Water released according to demand’
We have been writing to the irriga tion department for a year to maintain the water in Wadhwana Lake at a certain level, especially during winters when thousands of migratory birds visit. We again w rote a letter o n Monday requesting them to maintain the water level,” said Raviraj Rathod, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Vadodara.
“A stable water level is always good for the native as well as migratory birds flying from faraway countries as they get ample food. Most of these birds surviv e on the aquatic plants that grow in the water,” Rathod added.
The irrigation department, however, maintains that Wadhwana is primarily meant for farmers, and they release water as per the agricultural demand.
“If the water level keeps fluctuating, it affects the growth of many aquatic plants. These plants may die of withering if the water level drops suddenly, and their growth is stunted if waters swell. In the absence of abundant aquatic plants, birds don’t get adequate food and hence they prefer other wetlands,” officials said.
Mehul Chaudhary, executive engineer, irrigation department, Vadodara, confirmed receiving the forest department‘s request regarding water levels.
“To ensure that the birds are not disturbed, we are releasing water into the lake very gradually. However, we have to maintain a certain level as water release for farming in 25 villages of Dabhoi will begin in Jan,” he said