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Rajya Sabha MP Satnam Singh Sandhu Highlights Decline in Migratory Birds & Wetland Degradation in Punjab
Member of Parliament Satnam Singh Sandhu Raises Degradation of Punjab’s Wetlands & Decline in Migratory birds in the State
New Delhi, August 8, 2024:
Member of Parliament Satnam Singh Sandhu raised the issue of the declining number of migratory birds and the degradation of water bodies in Punjab on Thursday in Rajya Sabha during the on-going Monsoon Session of the House.
Raising the “Demand to ensure the conservation of Wetlands in Punjab for preserving the overall ecosystem for migratory birds” during ‘Zero Hour’ in the Rajya Sabha, Sandhu said, “The ecology of Punjab is blessed and is conducive for many migratory birds and forest life. The conservation of wetlands in Punjab is very much crucial to preserving the ecosystem and migratory birds. International migratory birds choose India because of the rich resources we have,”.
“The state of Punjab has seven wetlands, out of which six are protected and recognised as Ramsar sites. Due to their degradation, the number of migratory birds visiting the state has fallen yearly. We need to work speedily on protecting those Wetlands to protect migratory birds in the State.” he added.
Elaborating the issue, Sandhu, who hails from Punjab, said, “Sandpipers, plovers, gulls, Terns Eurasian coot, gadwall, common pochard, Eurasian wigeon, Rudy shelduck, common teal, spoonbills and painted storks - these are some rare species of migratory birds which come to the wetlands of Punjab every year.”
Giving figures, the Rajya Sabha Member explained that the number of migratory birds visiting Ramsar sites of Punjab in 2021-22 was 95,928, which decreased to 85,882 in 2022-23.
“Generally, the biggest chunk of migratory birds come to Harike wetlands. More than 65,000 migratory birds arrived from different countries in 2023, which was about 12 per cent less than the number of birds that arrived in 2021. Besides the protection of wetlands,” Sandhu said.
Highlighting degradation of water bodies in Punjab due to discharge of chemical waste products from industrial processes into them, the Rajya Sabha MP said steps to check high level of pollution in the Buddha Nullah in Ludhiana is the need of the hour.
“We need to tackle the issue of effluents from the Dairy and Dyeing industry flowing directly into Buddha Nullah. These effluents directly affect humans and cattle in the state. Due to similar degradation of water bodies in the state, the number of migratory birds is decreasing significantly,” he said.
Sandhu also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for creating 75 'Amrit Sarovars' in every district of Punjab on the occasion of 75 years of Independence, 'Azaadi ka Amrotsav'. By building these Amrit Sarovars, migratory birds will get a conducive habitat to survive, he added.