Birds flock to lakes in B'luru as water levels remain low

Sowmya Raju | NT

Bengaluru: The city of Bengaluru is known for its many lakes, which provide a vital habitat for a variety of birds.

JN Prasad, a bird watcher for over 4 decades, says that the lakes in Bengaluru were originally designed to store water for irrigation. However, in recent years, the lakes have been overflowing due to construction and the lack of natural vegetation around them.

The construction of buildings, roads, and other infrastructure around the lakes has blocked the natural flow of water. This has led to the lakes being full throughout the year, even during the dry season, and has also caused flooding in some areas.

This year, the water levels in the lakes have been lower than usual due to a lack of rain. This has created shallow pools of water, which has actually benefited the birds, as it has created shallow pools of water that are ideal for breeding and feeding.

As a result, the number of birds visiting the lakes has increased. A bird survey done by Raghavendra B Pachhapur from ActionAid found that some of the common birds that can be seen in Bengaluru include the Indian Spot-billed Duck, Indian Peafowl, Little Grebe, Rock Pigeon, Greater Coucal, Asian Koel, Eurasian Moorhen, Grey-headed Swamphen, and Eurasian Coot.

JN Prasad emphasises that birds serve as vital bio-indicators within any ecosystem.

He asserts, "The existence or absence of avian species within an area provides insights into the overall health of the ecosystem."

Furthermore, he urges the BBMP and other relevant authorities to not merely transform every lake into a generic water body but to prioritise biodiversity preservation uring the rejuvenation.