Tania Saili, Dehradun, 19 June 2005
The Aasan Reservoir in Yamuna valley has been declared as the first ever ‘wetland conservation reserve’ by the forest department of Uttaranchal.
This man-made reservoir plays hosts to thousands of migratory birds every year because of its rich bio-diversity.
Taking note of the disturbance caused to migratory birds during winter months at the Aasan Reservoir in Yamuna valley, Uttaranchal’s forest department decided to declare it a ‘wetland conservation reserve’.
“Earlier whenever the Yamuna barrage was shut down for maintenance, lots of migratory birds would migrate elsewhere. We were worried that their departure would lead on to a permanent migration for elsewhere and they may never return in the future. Another strange thing is that although there are two water bodies – Aasan and Daknathar. The birds have chosen Aasan, perhaps for its biodiversity,” said Nav Prabhat, forest minister, Uttaranchal.
This proposal is being seen as a welcome move because of the variety of avian visitors that come to Aasan Barrage from all over the world after enduring gruelling journeys.
These avian visitors make Aasan Barrage a hot favourite with bird watchers – if not above at least at par with Bharatpur.
“In the years ahead, the migratory birds that come here shall continue to adopt this as their wintering grounds and the economy of Uttaranchal will reap the benefits of all the bird-watchers who will throng here. The wetlands of Bharatpur have almost vanished, the government there has been unable to give water and a vital link has been almost finished. Of course, this will never make up for that loss but some people will definitely come this way,” said A S Negi, a conversationalist.
After years of indecision on the fate of the birds here, the forest department’s proposal promises a safe haven for about 150 species of migratory birds that have made this lake their winter home.
News Source: http://www.ndtv.com
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