Flamingos throng Kutch amid lockdown

The Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary witnessed a huge flock of flamingos turning the entire area into 'Sukhab Nagri'. This year, more than 3 lakh flamingos have visited Kutch and built 10,000 nests.

Kutch: With flamingos thronging Gujarat after the onset of monsoon, the Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary has been bathed with hues of pink. Flamingos also called as Surkhab, is considered to be Lakhajee's friend, a famed ruler of Kutch in ancient times.

As the human activities are minimal during the lockdown, the visit of majestic flamingos have increased manifold and the sanctuary has turned into 'Surkhab Nagri'. Nalsarovar and Kutch provide a haven to approximately 12 lakh birds. Experts believe that amid lockdown Kutch has become a host to a massive influx of flamingos

For the first time after 2012, more than three lakh flamingos have visited Kutch and built 10,000 nests. Better known as Surkhab Nagar, this place is the largest flamingo breeding sight in the country. At least 30 per cent migratory birds from Russia come here and make nests.

Exotic birds are currently being spotted at all the bird sites in Kutch, including Khadir Bet, Amarapar, Shanku Lake, Anda Bet, Hang Bet of the Great Rann of Kutch. These birds arrive in Kutch from Siberia and other places during winters.

"This year Kutch and some desert areas of Pakistan witnessed good rain. A large amount of freshwater has arrived in the Great Rann of Kutch. Migratory birds start arriving in July and make their nests in the shallow water and mud of the lake. In August, the chicks hatch from the eggs and then Surkhab Nagari becomes a pink town," said Chetan Patel, Forest Officer.

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"It becomes a unique place due to the chirping of this foreign guest. This year their number is around 3 lakh. There are mostly flamingos, both the Greater and the Laser. Apart from this, different small bird colonies have also been formed and the breeding season is still going on. These birds would return to their homeland at the end of winter, by which time the newborn would be ready to take a long journey back home, Patel added.

According to Naveen Bapat, a well-known ornithologist, Kutch is home to about 400 species of birds.

In an exclusive interview to ETV India, he said that that out of all nesting places for birds in Kutch, Surkhab Nagar and Chhari Dhandh are unique places. They attract a variety of migratory birds. Here they get adequate sunlight, enough food and water in a shallow lake and security as this area is isolated and far away from human habitat.

Not only the desert, but the hills and seashore of Kutch are also suitable for the habitat of a variety of birds. It is estimated that there are about 100 small and large sites for birds in Kutch and so bird watchers from 120 countries come to Kutch.

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