MoEF paves way for migratory birds from Ladakh

MAGADI (Gadag dist): When these special visitors come down from the Ladakh valleys of Kashmir to the drought-prone Gadag district annually, they have to deal with several threats during their stay. But this time they will be welcomed as the state government has called off the proposed steel plant in the region.These visitors are none other than the migratory birds which include the Bar-Headed Geese, Painted Stork, Cormorant, White-necked Stork, Black-necked Stork, White Ibis, Black Ibis, Ruddy Shell Duck, Scaup Duck, Spotted-billed Duck and the Coot.Magadi lake in Shirahatti taluk of Gadag district has become a winter spot for these birds which have been visiting the spot for over decades to beat the heavy winter chill in Ladakh and at the Himalayan border. Thousands of birds migrate every year in the winter which stretches from mid November till March end. This time, the lake which is adjacent to Gadag-Haveri state highway at Magadi village, just 26 km from Gadag, invites bird lovers from across the country. Over 30 varieties of birds not only from Ladakh but also from Andaman, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan, have been coming to the lake during the winter season. Thousands of bird lovers visit the lake during the weekends. According to Magadi Village Forest Committee president L H Balareddy, the time between 9 am to 11 am is the best to watch these birds gather in search of food.For these birds, Magadi lake has become a favourite sanctuary than Rangantittu, Kokkare Belluru and Hebbal lake of Bangalore as the lake is more eco-friendly.The lake is spread across 134 acres and is considered as an irrigation lake. So, authorities never thought of developing the lake as a bird sanctuary or a tourism place. But, efforts made by environmentalists has brought a little change in the fate of the lake as the Union Ministry for Environment and Forest has considered Magadi lake as a migrating birds’ sanctuary and released Rs 1 crore. The plan includes a three storied watch tower and development of catchments areas of the lake.