Bird walk at Durgapur barrage highlights ecological concerns

Under the clear skies of the third Sunday of February, the banks of the Damodar river became a hub of citizen science as the Wildlife Information and Nature Guide Society (WINGS), in collaboration with the Durgapur Forest Division, conducted its annual Durgapur Barrage bird walk.

Established in 2015 to commemorate the global Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC), the initiative has spent over a decade documenting the avian diversity of this critical riverine landscape.

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Led this year by Dr Sagar Adhurya, a member of WINGS, the survey aims to generate long-term baseline data on waterbirds and waders. While the event continues to attract public interest and promote ecological awareness, this year’s data presents a complex and somewhat sobering picture of the region’s environmental health.

A Decade of Citizen Science

Although WINGS does not hold policy-making authority, its role in scientific documentation is unmatched in the region. Dr Arkajyoti Mukherjee, secretary of WINGS and National Postdoctoral Fellow at Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, emphasised that the organisation’s 12-year voluntary initiative focuses on tracking biodiversity changes in relation to shifting land-use patterns and climate variability.

“WINGS is engaged in long-term biodiversity data collection to better understand ecological changes and their underlying causes,” Dr Mukherjee stated, adding that the organisation remains open to collaborating with government agencies and scientific institutions to translate this data into actionable conservation policy.

Subhadeep Saha, a member of WINGS, captured images of several avian species through his lens during the Durgapur Barrage Bird Walk held on 15 February to mark the Great Backyard Bird Count.

Rising Abundance, Vanishing Diversity

Findings from this year’s walk indicate a significant shift in species composition. While the numbers of certain resident ducks ~ particularly the Lesser Whistling-duck and the Cotton Pygmy Goose ~ have increased noticeably, this apparent abundance masks a decline in overall species richness. Approximately, 40 waterbird species were recorded this year, compared with around 50 species documented during last year’s survey.

Formerly regular winter visitors such as the Northern Pintail, Tufted Duck, Gadwall and Eurasian Wigeon have not been recorded in recent years. More alarming is the near-total disappearance of the wader community. Species, including the Wood Sandpiper, Marsh Sandpiper and Little Stint were absent from this year’s counts. Even the Common Sandpiper, traditionally a ubiquitous presence along the river, was not sighted.

Apex Predators in Decline

The ecological warning signs extend beyond the water’s edge to the skies. The survey reported a sharp decline in raptor species richness. As apex predators, raptors are vital indicators of ecosystem health. The absence of even the commonly observed Western Marsh Harrier suggests that the habitat may no longer support the complex food webs required by these birds of prey, signalling broader degradation across the Durgapur Barrage landscape.

The Toll of Development

Environmentalists attribute this decline primarily to rapid urbanisation and construction activities. Increasing development in and around the Damodar riverine landscape has significantly altered the riverbed structure. Such changes have resulted in the loss of shallow-water habitats and sandbars, which are essential feeding and roosting grounds for both migratory and resident birds.

To counter these trends, wildlife and nature experts advocate a shift towards habitat-sensitive planning. Key recommendations include strict regulation of construction in ecologically sensitive zones and the protection of natural river features. A balanced approach integrating urban development with ecological safeguards is now seen as crucial for preserving the biodiversity of the Damodar.

Constructed in 1955, the Durgapur Barrage stretches 2,270 feet across the Damodar, near the Bankura district border. Once a haven for large numbers of birds throughout the year, particularly during winter with the arrival of migratory species, the vast water body now stands at a critical ecological crossroads.