Flamingoes, the much awaited avian visitors to the city during winter, have given a miss to Ameenpur lake, the newest Biodiversity Heritage Site in Telangana. Bird watchers who have been closely following the avian fauna say the birds have skipped the lake as the water levels are higher. While flamingoes have not been spotted, two smaller migratory birds which thrive in shrubs and bushes, Indian Pitta and Siberian Stonechat, have been spotted near the lake by bird watchers.
“Some of the migratory birds like pelicans have come but flamingoes haven’t. We are waiting for Mission Kakatiya work to start on the lake which will lead to creation of weirs and the water level will recede bringing the birds that like shallow water,” said Tejdeep Kaur Menon, IPS officer, who has been actively involved in protecting the lake from encroachers.
Thanks to the bountiful rainfall this year as well as last year, the lake appears bigger than ever. “We are seeing the lake so big after many years. Earlier, I used to take my buffaloes around the lake but now it is so huge that I prefer to walk on the bund,” said Raju Goud, herding his buffaloes home towards Ameenpur village. “Earlier, 1500 acres of land was under cultivation on the lake’s edge. But now only 50 acres is being cultivated. Rest of the land is under water or has been sold off to real estate developers,” said Rami Reddy, a farmer who was using oxen to till his land.
Interestingly, the crucial full tank level survey has been carried out this year, according to Ms. Menon.
The deeper water and wider spread has meant a bonanza for fishermen who have laid deep nets in multiple locations to catch fish. The good catch for fishermen has meant bad news for the big birds. Flamingoes thrive in shallow water feasting on shellfish, snails and clams.
High levels of pollution in the lake is also being cited by bird watchers for the lower bird count. “The pollution appears to have declined but it hasn’t. Industries are still releasing their untreated effluents into the lake. Industrialists are not willing to pay for a sewerage treatment plant. When we asked them to make financial commitment, only ₹ 20 lakh was forthcoming while an STP requires at least ₹ 1.5 crore,” said an official involved with lake protection.
