I am not sure how many NCR dwellers are aware of the Okhla Bird sanctuary, situated on the banks of Yamuna on the NOIDA bank. Those who do would also be aware of the murderous attempt by the UP Governemnt (lead my Mayawati), to convert most of it into another Ambedkar park. Those who don't, may never as the attempt to kill is in full swing. So wake up!
Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar's name has been really abused by Mayawati throughout her state and her tainted career, so much so that people have started hating and equating both personalities.
Anyway, this post is an attempt to spread awareness among the educated and responsible people of the country, to protect the natural habitat of thousands of migrant birds, that has flourised for centuries. Mayawati is all out to destroy it. That's why its important to elect educated people to govern our country (side moral of this post)
Birds have a pattern of migration from colder regions to warmer regions of the world during winters and move across countries on a set pattern. Its still a matter of research about how birds keep sense of direction and places to migrate too. In a nutshell, there is always a series of spots that birds hop on in a direction to reach the final leg of their migratory journey, and return when season changes. Okhla Bird Sanctuary is such a spot in the way of birda arriving from Siberia, Central Asia, North China etc, and has the distinction of have the second largest number of species seen across the year. Home to over 400 species of birds and several thousand migratory birds, the Okhla Bird Sanctuary is an internationally recognized important bird area, and definately the largest in Indian sub-continent.The importance of this location can be gauged from the fact that such a large number of species is found in such a small area, representing more than 30% of the 1200-1300 species recorded in the Indian Sub-continent.
Some enthusiasts have been trying their best to save the sanctuary, but their numbers are quite limited. I know of a group called Delhi Bird Group raising their voice to fight it. Remember, its not a fight against natural extinction, but against murder!
The park is going to replace 3.5 square km of the sanctuary with concrete. Most of that is already done. The machines round the clock disturb birds, especially their mating, and thus have more detrimental effects. The UP government has broken many laws to reach here. 6003 trees were felled to create space of the park, without the requisite permission of the ministry of environment & forest.
Now, should we also remain mute spectators of the carnage? Unfortunately, in our country, we entrust power to those who are not capable of using it well. The ministry of environment & forest does nothing to enfore the law. Someone needs to do something fast. There is an online petetion that we can add our weight to, to help the few enthusiasts fight this battle.
https://petitiononline.com/OBPWLS09/petition.html
Read this article too:
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Earth/Protect-Okhla-bird-sanctuary/articleshow/4256876.cms
If the link is disabled , you can paste in your browser to reach there.
Personally speaking, I am no great bird lover or an expert in ornithology.I can never wake up so early to be in time for watching birds, like my better half does. However, I realise that this is an attempt to save the eco system we are a part of, hence woke up this time around (look at the time this post was posted). I hope you think so too.
(some of the pictures in my album have been clicked in Okhla Bird Sanctuary)
