A Total Of 17,000 Migratory Birds Have Died So Far In Rajasthan¡¯s Sambhar Lake Due To Botulism

The death toll of migratory birds in Rajasthan continues to rise and touched a desolate figure of 17,000. The birds died of botulism, a serious and fatal illness that affects the nerves and paralyses the body.

Avian botulism, a naturally occurring neurotoxin activated in warm weather by bacteria in silt, is passed along to waterbirds through infected bugs, causing paralysis or death. It is not contagious to humans.

The deaths were reported in Jaipur, Nagaur and Ajmer districts of Rajasthan. In Jaipur¡¯ Sambhar lake, the country's largest inland water saltwater lake, the death toll has crossed 8,500.

"The death toll has increased to nearly 17,000," Chief Wildlife Warden of the Forest Department, Arindam Tomar, said.

Jaipur collector Jagroop Singh Yadav informed that carcasses have been disposed. Primarily, it was assumed that the birds died due to avian flu but the report from a laboratory in Bhopal has ruled this out.

BCCL

Officials are of the view that birds had been feeding on maggot-infested carcasses, contributing to their death.

"Veterinary experts from the Rajasthan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences have indicated that the deaths occurred due to botulism," the state forest department's principal secretary, Sreya Guha, told AFP.

On November 10, thousands of migratory birds, including Northern Shoveler, Ruddy Shelduck, Plovers, Avocets, were found dead in the 5-7 km area around Sambhar Lake.

This was the second such incident reported from the state within a week.

Thirty-seven demoiselle cranes were found dead in Jodhpur¡¯s Khinchan area on November 7.

Thousands of carcasses have been fished out of the water and buried but there are fears more could be lying on the bed of the lake.

AFP

A senior government official said that a 70-member team has been formed to recover and dispose of the birds over the next few days.

Every winter, migratory birds flock the lake. The region around Sambhar lake is an important destination for thousands of domestic and international migratory birds every winter.

According to an estimate, around 60,000 birds visited the lake in a year which has come down to less than 20,000.

Notably, no forest department official has even been appointed to look after the lake, says a report by news agency IANS. The state government has been spending huge money to revive the lake and woo tourists. Crores of Rupees have been spent on the upkeep of the narrow gauge train and watch stations, but birds and conversation issues were always overlooked.