The Harike wetland in Punjab, the largest wetland in North India spanning 86 square kilometers, has welcomed an estimated 40,000 to 50,000 migratory birds this winter. The delayed arrival of these avian visitors is attributed to the late onset of the winter season. Situated at the confluence of the Sutlej and Beas rivers, the wetland serves as a crucial habitat for approximately 90 species of migratory water birds from countries like Siberia, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, and Russia. The birds typically stay at Harike until March or April.
Late Arrival Due to Winter Delay
The migratory birds, representing various species, usually start arriving in September. However, this season witnessed a delayed arrival in November, linked to the late initiation of the winter season. Gitanjali Kanwar, coordinator at the World Wild Fund for Nature (WWF) India, mentioned that the census exercise for water birds this month will provide a more accurate count of the migratory bird population at Harike. The numbers are expected to increase further in the upcoming days.
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