Manipur: Migratory bird count at Loktak Lake plummets by 65%

Imphal: A recent bird census at Manipur's Loktak Lake, the largest freshwater lake in South Asia, has revealed a disturbing decline in the number of migratory birds visiting the region.

Ornithologists associated with the Indian Bird Conservation Network (IBCN) and Loktak Development Authority (LDA) expressed disappointment after their headcount revealed a 65% decrease compared to the previous year.

The joint bird census, conducted on January 20, 2024, the peak season for migratory birds, covered 50 locations across the lake in Manipur.

The results, released by LDA chairman L Ashinikumar, showed only 14,235 birds belonging to 45 species, including 17 migratory families. This marks a significant drop from the 47,472 birds recorded in 2022 and 21,634 in 2023.

RK Birjit, State Coordinator of IBCN, expressed concern about the situation, stating, "The ecological imbalance and population explosions around the lake have finally resulted in a decrease in the number of migratory birds, along with the disappearance of various plants previously found at the lake."

He also highlighted the increasing bird trapping activities, urging stricter enforcement measures to curb this practice.

Experts attribute this sharp decline to a combination of factors, including, habitat degradation,  increasing human settlements and activities around the lake, loss of various plant species crucial for the birds' food and shelter, and the rising instances of illegal bird trapping in the surrounding areas