Sound from oil wells rattle #migratory birds at thol

Thol Lake bird sanctuary in Mehsana district, about 50 km from Ahmedabad on Kadi-Sanand road, has long been a favourite abode for variety of birds. But, the famous wetland has of late been losing popularity among the winged visitors.

“Global warming does have a negative impact on the habitat, but what is turning birds away from the lake is the noise and disturbance caused by activities in oil wells in the surrounding areas,” said Lala Desai, range forest officer at Thol Lake.

Desai, who has been posted in area for long, said, “Every day the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) officials have to open the valves of pipelines for work. This generates deafening noise identical to that of the landing of an aircraft.” Desai said the birds, whose hearing capacity is higher, get scared and fly away in fear.

Among the winged guests whose number has been on a constant decline are flamingos that would throng the lake in great number earlier and Kingfisher. “Birds like darters, egrets, partridges, spoonbills and hornbills besides several Himalayan, South African and Siberian species can be noticed here but their number has gone down”, Desai said.




“Winter is the time for laying eggs and variety of birds visit the lake. The huge sound generated by heavy instruments used in drilling scares the birds, while fumes and toxic gases that are emitted affect the mating period and breeding ratio,” said Suresh Prajapati, a researcher on birds.

“To a great extent, the sanctuary has been affected by disturbances caused by factories located in Gujarat industrial Development Corporation’s (GIDC) premises, two km from the birds’ habitat. Visitors to the lake, particularly on Sunday and holidays also add to the pollution as they make noises and throw plastic bags in the vicinity of the lake,” said Namrat Bhawsar, founder of ‘Arambh’, a foundation working to create awareness about environment for about 20 years.

A senior #ONGC official said the corporation would take care if its operation in the area was causing harm to birds at Thol. “If the uncorking of valves makes loud noise that harms migratory birds at Thol, we would certainly look into the issue. However, as the forest Officials say that well numbers 115 and 117 are the ones making noise, I will direct the ONGC officials concerned to rectify the faults without delay,” said Anil John, executive director, ONGC, Ahmedabad.

Courtest :- Times Of India, 6 December, 2010.