Lok Sabha Question No. 3030 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-06
Subject: Death of Birds around Sambhar Lake
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Kaushal Kishore, Upendra Singh Rawat, Pratima Mondal, Janardan Singh Sigriwal

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3030

TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.12.2019.

## Death of birds around Sambhar lake

3030.   SHRI KAUSHAL KISHORE:

SHRI UPENDRA SINGH RAWAT:

SHRIMATI PRATIMA MONDAL:

SHRI JANARDAN SINGH SIGRIWAL

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

- (a) whether thousands of migratory birds of different species were found dead around Sambhar lake;
- (b) if  so,  the  species-wise  death  toll  of  birds  at  Sambhar  lake  in  2019  and  reasons therefor;
- (c) whether any investigation has been conducted to find out the cause of the loss of avian lives; and
- (d) the  details  of  corrective  steps  taken  to  prevent  such  deaths  during  this  migratory seasons and protect flora and fauna of the area along with the action taken against those found guilty?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)

- (a) to (d) Report of deaths of several birds in Sambahar Lake in Rajasthan has been received in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. In order to assess and inquire  into  the  matter  regarding  deaths  of  birds  in  Sambhar  lake,  Rajasthan,  the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has constituted a Committee comprising of the Deputy Inspector General of Forests (WL), MoEFCC, Scientist, Wildlife Institute of India (WII),  Dehradun  and  Scientist, Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Izzatnagar, Bareilly. The Committee had visited the site on  23 rd and  24 th November 2019 and had detailed discussions with the Rajasthan State Forest Department also.  Based on the site visit and discussions, the following are the important findings:
- i. As per information provided by the State Forest Department during the visit, birds  which  have  been  found  with  infection,  are  mostly  omnivorous  and insectivorous.  As  per  the  IVRI,  the  important  bird  species  that  have  been
- affected include Northern shovelers, Kentish plovers, common  teals, common  sandpipers,  Ruff,  Pied  avocets,  whistling  ducks,  common  coots However, Flamingoes, land birds (Crows, Kites, domestic chicken in nearby villages) were not affected.
- ii. The  rescued  birds  were  given  parenteral  injections  of  Betamethazone, Neurobion, oxytetracycline and Atropine and also fresh feed and water.
- iii. The birds responded well to the treatment in 24 to 48 hours depending upon the severity.
- iv. As per IVRI, based on the epidemiological and laboratory investigations, the cause of mortality in migratory birds is Avian Botulism caused by Clostridium botulinum . Several factors like, presence of crustaceans, invertebrates, heavy rains in month of July and August and thereby decrease in  salinity  level,  etc.  have  been    attributed  to  favouring  the  growth  of Clostridium botulinum

The important steps taken by the Government in this regard include:

- i. The  ailing  birds  are  given  first  aid  treatment  at  the  site  and  are  taken  to  a rescue centre at Kachroda Forest Nursery, Jaipur District.
- ii. A small rescue centre has also been established at Nawa in Nagaur.
- iii. So  far,  591  live  but  ailing  birds  have  been  rescued  from  various  sites  at Sambhar Lake and treated at Kachroda Nursery Rescue Centre.
- iv. A  soft  release  facility  has  been  set  up  for  release  of  birds  recovered  from ailment.
- v. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is coordinating with State Forest Department, Scientific institutions/organizations and civil society organizations for management of the issue.

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