After a news report was published last week that thousands of migratory birds were found dead near Rajasthan’s Sambhar Lake, I decided to visit the lake myself and see how grave the situation really was.
I was at the lake at 10 am on Friday, 16 November, and I couldn’t believe what I saw. The lake was a deathbed for all migratory birds. The rescue officials kept all the dead birds in polythene bags and the ones that were injured were placed in cardboard boxes.
There were birds which were alive but were unable to walk. The birds in critical condition were being sent to the treatment center which was 15 km away.
There were more than 15 species of migratory birds at Sambhar Lake at that point of time. There was a veterinary doctor and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) at the site looking at the ailing birds.
The doctor wasn’t able to identify the reason for the catastrophe as on Friday. But the next day, I read in various news reports that illegal salt mining activities in the area could be one of the reasons.
I just hope they identify the cause and ensure such an incident never happens again. I was there till 6 pm in the evening. The stink of the carcasses was overpowering. It was difficult to stand and watch.
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