Winged visitors boost Haridwar tourism

Migratory birds at the Bhimgoda Barrage,
 near Har-ki-Pauri, in Haridwar on Wednesday.

Haridwar, December 7
With the onset of winter, the arrival of migratory birds has started in Haridwar, giving a fillip to the tourism sector in the region. With the arrival of migratory birds, the number of tourists thronging the region will increase as rare Siberian birds will be making city river beds their home this winter.

Nearly six migratory birds have been spotted on the secluded Ganga ghat river bed and the Rajaji National Park. Wildlife scientists have identified four species of birds this season, ruddy sheldock, black-headed gull, painted stork and black-necked stork.

In India, particularly in Uttarakhand, these migratory birds come from the regions of Europe and central Asia. These species returns to their original places once summer begins there in mid March-April.

These birds can be seen gliding over the Ganga, particularly in the early morning and the late evening. Bird lovers, wildlife scientists, photographers and tourists have started thronging bird sites. Bird lovers maintained that till a decade ago, a large number of migratory birds used to make their abode here. However, the number has now decreased.

Noted wildlife scientist, Dr Ritesh Joshi, while talking to TNS, stressed the need of having a proper census of migratory species aided by the satellite technology as it would help knowing the accurate tracks, resting sites and the exact data of their arrival and departure.

“Anthropogenic activities should be banned near the Ganga areas, which are the habitat of these migratory birds,” said Dr Joshi.