Destroying Nature: Will Nal Sarovar be able to sustain poaching & illegal fishing for long.

Nal Sarovar bird sanctuary is a beautiful lake situated in the districts of Ahmedabad and Surendranagar in the State of Gujarat in India. It is a natural sweet water lake with many small islets.  For long it has been a haven  for both birds and nature lovers. It is a winter home for many migratory birds from Central Asia, Europe and Siberia and India. The NalSarovar Bird Sanctuary is very popular among the tourists who visit Gujarat and local Gujarati Bird and Nature lovers.

Birds like Greater Flamingos, Lesser Flamingos, Geese, verities of Ducks, Open-bill stork, Glossy ibis, Coots, Cranes, pelicans and many other birds visit this sanctuary during monsoon and winter.  Community of  fisherman live in some of the villages on the isles of the lake. These fisherman live of the income earned by taking the visiting tourists for a boat ride in the lake. But recently the truth came to light that these fishermen also indulge in the illegal activities of fishing and poaching. The news was brought to light by Times of India.  I read the two articles and it saddened me. I had always heard stories from visitors that the numbers of birds at Nal Sarovar had decreased but now I also know its cause.

Although there is ban on fishing, it has not stopped the fishermen and tribal’s living in and around the sanctuary for fishing. The TOI report says  that 1055 fishing nets have been found and recovered from the area. That itself says it all. If the number of fishes in the lake go down, the number of birds visiting the lake will also go down. And according to the reports there is more, these fishermen and villagers kill birds while fishing at night. These birds especially the flamingos are killed for their meat and is considered a delicacy. The officials themselves seem to have stated to Times of India that they are

aware of this illegal fishing and poaching and according to them little is being done to put a stop this illegal activities. The forest team here is also understaffed.

I personally think that people should express their anguish against the destruction of nature and cruelty towards the birds openly so that the government and world can hear it. It will ultimately also affect the eco-system diversely. I think the least we can do for the nature and saving it is to support these cause by voicing our thoughts in support of the people who are fighting for it.

The original reports:

1. Times of India

2. Times of India