Thousands of migratory birds die mysteriously in Rajasthan lake

Thousands of migratory birds of about ten species were found de around Sambhar Lake, country's largest inland saltwater lake near Jaipur, sending shock waves among locals and authorities.

Officials said y suspect water contamination as one of reasons for deaths but were awaiting viscera test reports. Though official toll was 1,500, locals claimed number of de birds could be as high as 5,000. "We have never seen anything like that. Over 5,000 birds died mysteriously all over place," 25-year-old Abhinav Vaishnav, a local bird-watcher, told PTI.

When Vaishanav went on a stroll along edge of lake on Sunday, he took hundreds of dark lumps strewn across marshy land for cow dung. But it didn't take him and his fellow bird watchers Kishan Meena and Pavan Modi to realise lumps were bodies of hundreds of lifeless migratory birds.

Carcasses of hundreds of de birds including plovers, common coot, black winged stilt, rrn shovelers, ruddy shelduck, and pied avocet were scattered on edge of 12-13 km of catchment area of lake, leing to a possible number of over 5,000, y said. Forest ranger Rajendra Jakhar said a possible reason could be hailstorm that hit area a few days back.

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"We estimate about 1,500 birds of about 10 species have died. We are also looking at or possibilities like toxicity of water, bacterial or viral infection," he said. A medical team from Jaipur has collected a few carcasses and water samples are being sent to Bhopal for furr examination.

Ashok Rao, a veterinary doctor and part of team, said that while exact reason for deaths was uncertain, he ruled out possibility of bird flu." At initial examination we did t find any sort of secretion from birds, which is a giveaway in cases of bird flu," he said.

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R G Ujjwal, dal officer, animal husbandry department, joined Rao and listed possible reasons behind mysterious calamity.

Water contamination possible reason

"ir could be some sort of contamination in water. increased salinity of water could also be ar reason, as it increases salt concentration in blood, which can furr le to slow blood flow and internal organs like brain may stop working," Ujjwal said. lake is also a favourite of flamingos, stilts, stints, garganey, gulls and a number of or species of birds.

Jakhar informed that lake every year hosts approximately 2-3 lakh birds, which include about 50,000 flamingos and 1,00,000 wers. strange episode has left villrs and people of forest department baffled for lack of a sensible explanation.

"I have never seen such a thing in 40 years of my service in forest department. First I thought it could be because of hail, but that occurs every year. re is chemical waste in this water eir," said Ramesh Chandra Daroga, a local working with forest department.

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Ashok Sharma, joint director, State Disease Diagstic Centre, said that once reason was ascertained furr steps will be taken. "We don't think it is a case of infection, but if it turns out to be case we will take furr steps to make sure it doesn't spre," he assured.

Meanwhile, carcasses were collected in a tractor-trolley and buried in a ditch. A total of 669 de birds were buried while hundreds lay strewn around as forest staff hesitated to venture into slippery muddy areas. This is second such incident in state within a week. Last Thursday, 37 demoiselle cranes were found de in Jodhpur's Khinchan area. ir viscera too have been sent for investigation and reports are awaited.