Migratory birds flock to Mandi for winter

pender Manta

Tribune News Service

Mandi, December 2

With the onset of winter, several migratory birds from across the globe are flocking to Mandi. A major attraction for nature lovers, most of these have arrived here from Siberia, China, Tibet and European countries.

These birds have made the Beas and few other water reservoirs their habitat. Ensuring their security has become the biggest issue for officials of the Forest Department as poaching incidents in the past have marred the image if the district.

Sources say these birds stay here between December and February after weather turns unfit for survival at their places of origin.

Officials say the number of birds this year was higher as compared to the past. Victoria Bridge near Mandi town, where these birds can be noticed engaged in activities in cold waters of the Beas, is the biggest attraction these days.

The Forest Department has identified a few birds as Ruddy Shedlduck, Siberian stonechat, Common Sandpiper, Tufted Duck, Citrine Wagtail, Little Cormorant, Greylag goose, Whishkered tern, Great Cormorant, red-wattled lapwing, Common Shelduck, Wood Sandpiper, Oriental Darter, Pond Heron and Ashy crowned sparrow lark.

To protect these birds from poachers, the Forest Department authorities have decided to keep round-the-clock vigil near water bodies. They have also sought local residents’ cooperation in checking illicit poaching, urging them to inform nearby forest officials if they found anyone involved in such illegal activity.

Talking to The Tribune, Mandi Divisional Forest Officer SS Kashyap said: “We have deployed a team at key locations near water bodies to keep a tab on poachers. It is good news for us that the environment of the district is favourable for the stay of these birds.”