Research boost for conservation at bird sanctuary

NASHIK: Over six decades have passed since it was set up and went on to earn the sobriquet of the Bharatpur of Maharashtra, the Nandur Madhyameshwar bird sanctuary has over the years become a paradise of birds. But nature enthusiasts in general and birders in particular rue the lack of any concrete data about the sanctuary.
The forest department has finally entrusted an agency to conduct a research on the sanctuary’s water pollution level, its quality, the behaviour of migratory birds and the effects of weeds on the wetland.The project is aimed to gather as much data as possible on the sanctuary and is supposed to get over by next year.
Honourary wildlife warden Amit Khare has begun conducting the research project — Study of Water Quality and Management of Nandur Madhyameshwar Sanctuary. The sanctuary and its surrounding area have been included in the study.
It was decided in August 2012 to include Nandur Madhyameshwar in the Ramsar Site list and the procedures are underway. Situated in Niphad, around 40 km from Nashik, the sanctuary is spread over 1,765 hectares and comprises evergreen forest and trees at the confluence of the Godavari and the Kadwa rivers.
“We have very less information about the level of water pollution and water quality, the behaviour of migratory birds and effects of weeds on the wetlands. We don’t have any concrete data on all this. Keeping this in mind, we have planned to hand over the research project to an agency. Khare will conduct the research for one year. Funds to the tune of Rs two lakhs have been sanctioned for the project,” said S V Ramarao, conservator of forests (wildlife), Nashik.
“We will study the quality and management problems of the sanctuary and its surrounding areas. The biodiversity, conservation in the sanctuary and surrounding areas will be studied,” said Khare, who works with the environment department at Guruvarya Dadasaheb Bowa Educational Organisation, Malegaon Camp, Nashik.
Following the findings of the research, wetland management of the sanctuary and its surrounding areas and bird conservation are expected to be more effective. Besides, the authorities expect to manage water issues better and improve the water quality as well. “In the next two years, we want to do everything possible to ensure that the sanctuary is managed better,” Ramarao said.