Punjab: The Harike Wetlands in Amritsar are buzzing with life as the migratory season is in full swing, attracting thousands of rare bird species from Siberia, Russia, Kazakhstan and other cold regions. Every year, these wetlands, spread over a radius of 14 kilometres, become an important stopover for over 50,000 birds from November to February. This seasonal phenomenon offers ornithologists and birdwatchers a vibrant opportunity to explore the unique habitat that houses a diversity of bird species. The annual bird census by the Harike range officials is expected to be completed by March, while the wetlands will also host their annual Bird Festival, aimed at showcasing the various species that visit here, encouraging ornithologists to witness this natural spectacle. Wildlife volunteer and photographer Amit Sharma has documented these incredible species over the past few days. Sharma informed, “Interestingly, we have managed to capture photographs of Greater Flamingos, which were last seen in Harike in 2021. Besides, we have spotted the rare Jack Snipe in the Vallah-Mehta cluster, which is a shallow water area, perfect for waders.” He has been documenting the bird species found in and around Amritsar for years, stressing that while Harike is famous for hosting migratory birds, the city and its outskirts also attract a number of interesting species during this period. Currently, the wetland is home to a wide variety of bird species, including Bar-headed Geese, Common Teal, Coots (which fly in from Tibet), Godwits, Northern Shoveler (Siberian bird), Ruddy Shelduck and Common Pochard, among others. The mass migration has also attracted the attention of researchers from the Department of Botany and Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University. Department Head Professor Rajinder Kaur Gill expressed concern about the impact of human activities on bird migration.
She said, “Human intervention, water and air pollution and rising temperatures have significantly affected the migration patterns of birds. Many species are struggling to find suitable nesting and feeding grounds due to habitat loss and contamination. The endangered Siberian Crane and Great Crested Grebe are among the birds that are at risk.” According to the Harike Wetland Census 2023 conducted by the Punjab Forest Wildlife Department and WWF-Punjab, the bird population in Harike has fluctuated over the years. In 2019-20, 123,128 birds of 83 species were recorded. This dropped to 91,025 in 2020-2021, with 90 species recorded. In the 2021-22 season, the numbers dropped to 74,869 birds of 88 species. While there was no census in 2022, 65,624 birds were counted in 2023 – the lowest count in recent years. However, the 2025 count is expected to be between 70,000 and 80,000. Harike Range Officer Kamaljit Singh confirmed that the water bird count will be completed by the end of the month. The wetlands provide an important refuge for migratory birds, but experts remain cautious about the ongoing threats to their habitat.
