Changing weather prompts migratory birds to stay put in Dhanbad Coal town plans to develop some areas as a haven of seasonal species
Many migratory birds are staying back at different sites of Dhanbad like the scenic Maithon and Panchet Lake due to the chilly weather conditions prevailing in the coal town, after a brief spell of warm weather from January 1 to 12. The weather condition is developing a favourable atmosphere for the birds to stay back.
A group of bird lovers in Dhanbad, led by a retired banker A K Sahay (62) who are carrying out extensive survey of bird spots in Dhanbad since September last year, have spotted Red Crested Pochard and Ruddy Shellduck during a visit to the Maithon Lake on Saturday.
With the sudden rise in temperature since the first week of January, the number of migratory birds has started dwindling in Coal Town.
Red Crested Pochard, a large diving duck whose favourite habitat is lowland marshes, can be seen here in large numbers. But this year, more than 90% of them have left town. Similarly, Ruddy Shelduck, a distinctive waterfowl, are also decreasing in number.
While speaking to The Telegraph Online on Monday, AK Sahay (62), a retired banker who also heads the Coal Town bird lovers association, Dhanbad Birders, said: “More than 90% of Red Crested Pochard have already left Dhanbad since the last week. While a large number of Ruddy Shelduck has also returned to their respective places.”
Coal town bird lovers raise awareness on conservation Founded by ex-banker AK Sahay, Dhanbad Birders set up thought-provoking exhibits
In a bid to promote bird conservation, a group of 30 bird lovers under the banner of ‘Dhanbad Birders’ have been working relentlessly over the past three months to raise awareness among the masses.
The group, in order to achieve its goal, has been doing a range of activities, including installing 25 thought provoking exhibits, submitting reports to the concerned authorities about the presence of a wide range of birds and demanding bird conservation steps by declaring the sites as prohibited areas.
Founded by a retired banker A.K. Sahay on September 14, the club through an extensive survey across the town has identified six spots that are hotspots of bird-watching and has presence of at least 20 species.
A group of youth from Jharia, engaged in social work, on Wednesday carried out a unique mak-distribution drive at different squares of Dhanbad posing as Santa Claus to create awareness regarding Covid-19 guidelines.
The drive began at around 10 am from Chhai Gadda locality, a slum situated in the backside of the Dhanbad Railway Station. The volunteers of the organisation, Samadhan, led by its founder Chandan Singh, celebrated Christmas by cutting cakes and singing carols. More than 500 masks were also distributed among the residents during the time.
Talking to The Telegraph Online after the programme, Singh said, “We used three 20-pound cakes, which were provided to us by Dhanbad Senior Superintendent of Police, Aseem Vikrant Minz. The children were quite happy at our initiative.”