Lok Sabha Question No. 119 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-02
Subject: Migratory Birds
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: SONA RAM CHOUDHARY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.119

TO BE ANSWERED ON  02.02.2018

## Migratory Birds

## 119. COL. SONARAM CHOUDHARY:

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the migratory birds come in the country due to the conducive climate;
- (b) if so, whether the number of migratory birds is decreasing continuously and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (c) the steps being taken by the Government to protect migratory birds and to develop their habitats;
- (d) whether  the  proposal  seeking  central  financial  assistance  for  Pachpadra  lake  and other places of Rajasthan are lying pending; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and the action taken thereon??

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

- (a) Bird migration is a seasonal activity. Generally, birds migrate from the northern  hemisphere  during  the  winter  season  to  warmer  regions  of tropical/equatorial regions. India is  considered as a preferred wintering destination for several species of migratory birds like Bar headed Geese, Amur Falcons, Black necked cranes, Demoiselle cranes, etc.
- (b) As  per  the  'Asian  Water  bird  census'  coordinated  by  the  Wetlands International, some  migratory birds in the region  showed a decreasing trend  during  the  last  decade,  whereas  some  species  indicated  a  stable population. The decline in the number of migratory birds is attributed to various  factors  including  wetland  reclamation,  pollution  of  wetland through  domestic  sewage,  hunting,  trapping  in  the  migratory  routes, indiscriminate  use  of  pesticides  &  fertilizers,  reduction  of  habitat, climate change, etc.
- (c) The important steps taken by the Government  for protection of migratory birds include:
- i. Rare and endangered species of birds including migratory birds are  included  in  Schedule-I  of  the  Wild  Life  (Protection)  Act, 1972 thereby according them highest degree of protection.
- ii. Stringent  punishments  have  been  provided  in  the  Wild  Life (Protection) Act, 1972 for violation of provisions of the Act.
- iii. Important habitats of birds, including migratory birds have been notified as protected Areas under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972  for  better  conservation  and  protection  of  birds  and  their habitats.
- iv. Focused  protection  measures  involving  the  local  communities have  been  taken  up  in  the  State  of  Nagaland  for  protection  of Amur Falcons that  migrate to North East India on their route to Southern  Africa.  With  the  coordinated  efforts  of  the  Forest Department, Government of Nagaland, NGO's, scientific institutes and  local communities, killing of Amur Falcons have become 'Zero' since 2013.
- v. Vulture  species  have  been  identified  as  one  of  the    species  for recovery programme for critically endangered species under the Centrally  Sponsored  Scheme  of  Integrated  Development  of Wildlife Habitats.
- vi. Financial  and  technical  assistance  is  provided  to  the  State/UT Governments for protection and management of Protected Areas.
- vii. Wildlife Crime Control Bureau has been established for control of illegal trade in wildlife and its parts and products.
- viii. India  is  a  signatory  to  the  Convention  on  Migratory  Species (CMS) and India has also signed Memorandum of Understanding(MOU)  with  CMS  on  Conservation  of  Siberian Cranes and Raptors.
- (d) No Madam.
- (e) Does not arise.

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