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GUWAHATI: A solo Mandarin duck, spotted close to the Baghjan oil blowout site in upper Assam’s Tinsukia district on Sunday, unfortunately, could not be seen on Monday. The beautiful migratory bird had created considerable flutter at the Maguri-Motapung wetland because of its sighting for the second consecutive year.
After more than a100 years, the migratory bird was spotted in the Maguri-Motapung beel last year. Bird enthusiasts, researchers and local villagers had emerged on the western bank wetland to catch a glimpse of the winged guest. Many camped on the banks of the freshwater lake till dusk. It was a single bird but a big attraction this winter when migratory birds flock to the water body.
Experts opined it may have been a brief halt for the bird which was on its way to its original habitat in China. Winter is on its way out and migratory birds start flying back to their homes at this time. But researchers are also apprehensive about the adverse impact on the food chain because of the blowout, which may have been the reason why the bird left the beel.
Last year, one Mandarin duck was spotted in Ziro in Arunachal Pradesh, whereas two others were seen in Dirang in the frontier state. Though birders could not come to a definite conclusion on how many crossed the Himalayas, the entry of the bird into Assam’s eastern most part was special. “The Mandarin duck is not a regular visitor. This bird feeds on water weeds. The Baghjan blowout incident had affected biodiversity in the nearby water bodies and the bird food chain may have been affected,” said researcher and associate professor of geography in Tinsukia College, Ranjan Kumar Das.
Das, a member of the species survival commission of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), felt that numerous resident or local bird populations have already dwindled in the wetland after oil condensates spilled from the leakage and blowout site to the water body in the 2020 incident. The wetland was home to about 84 fish species, including golden mahseer.
He said oil condensates can still be found in the bed of the water body and trapped inside the grasslands. “When the water level went down, the condensates got mixed with the soil,” he said. “The arrival of one solitary duck had raised so much hope. But no one thought of their plight. Purple moorhen birds, which were visible earlier, can hardly be seen here now. The breeding ground of birds has been lost,” he said.
Niranta Gohain, an entrepreneur, who runs an eco tourism camp near the wetland, searched for the bird throughout the day. “Habitat loss has affected the food chain and this must be the reason why the bird flew away,” he said, seeking a study on the decreasing number of birds.
Writer and activist Juri Borah Borgohain said, “The Mandarin duck is one of the most colourful and ornamental birds seen. Many people in Europe keep them as pets. They are easily found in gardens and wetlands. To conserve this bird, we must preserve the Maguri-Motapung beel. It’s our duty to protect the ducks from the oil fields and pollution,” she added.
After more than a100 years, the migratory bird was spotted in the Maguri-Motapung beel last year. Bird enthusiasts, researchers and local villagers had emerged on the western bank wetland to catch a glimpse of the winged guest. Many camped on the banks of the freshwater lake till dusk. It was a single bird but a big attraction this winter when migratory birds flock to the water body.
Experts opined it may have been a brief halt for the bird which was on its way to its original habitat in China. Winter is on its way out and migratory birds start flying back to their homes at this time. But researchers are also apprehensive about the adverse impact on the food chain because of the blowout, which may have been the reason why the bird left the beel.
Last year, one Mandarin duck was spotted in Ziro in Arunachal Pradesh, whereas two others were seen in Dirang in the frontier state. Though birders could not come to a definite conclusion on how many crossed the Himalayas, the entry of the bird into Assam’s eastern most part was special. “The Mandarin duck is not a regular visitor. This bird feeds on water weeds. The Baghjan blowout incident had affected biodiversity in the nearby water bodies and the bird food chain may have been affected,” said researcher and associate professor of geography in Tinsukia College, Ranjan Kumar Das.
Das, a member of the species survival commission of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), felt that numerous resident or local bird populations have already dwindled in the wetland after oil condensates spilled from the leakage and blowout site to the water body in the 2020 incident. The wetland was home to about 84 fish species, including golden mahseer.
He said oil condensates can still be found in the bed of the water body and trapped inside the grasslands. “When the water level went down, the condensates got mixed with the soil,” he said. “The arrival of one solitary duck had raised so much hope. But no one thought of their plight. Purple moorhen birds, which were visible earlier, can hardly be seen here now. The breeding ground of birds has been lost,” he said.
Niranta Gohain, an entrepreneur, who runs an eco tourism camp near the wetland, searched for the bird throughout the day. “Habitat loss has affected the food chain and this must be the reason why the bird flew away,” he said, seeking a study on the decreasing number of birds.
Writer and activist Juri Borah Borgohain said, “The Mandarin duck is one of the most colourful and ornamental birds seen. Many people in Europe keep them as pets. They are easily found in gardens and wetlands. To conserve this bird, we must preserve the Maguri-Motapung beel. It’s our duty to protect the ducks from the oil fields and pollution,” she added.
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