A file picture of migratory birds at Deepor Beel

Nov. 23: The wetlands of Deepor Beel have come alive yet again with the twittering of migratory birds.

There are an estimated 4,000 migratory birds in the beel and counting.

“We have seen 4,000-odd birds, which is a good sign, as it is just the onset of winter,” said Lakhan Terong, an avid bird watcher of Deepor Beel.

The beel provides a breeding ground for millions of birds.

Altogether 219 species of birds, including more than 70 migratory species, have been recorded there.

“If I make a comparative assessment of this month with last year, the number of birds are definitely more,” Terang said.

The birds stay at the wetland most of the day and sometimes fly off to the islands on the Brahmaputra.

The ruddy shell duck, red cross pochard and large cormorant have already been sighted.

“The severe winter in some countries forces the birds to descend here,” Terong said.

The migratory birds of the wetland come from the Central Asian Flyway.

A flyway is the total area used by populations or species of birds, throughout their annual cycle, including the breeding areas, migration stopovers and non-breeding (wintering) sites.

The Central Asian Flyway comprises several important migration routes of water birds.

The birds cross the borders of several countries during the course of their journey.

Geographically, the flyway covers 30 countries of north, central and south Asia.

Large numbers of students and tourists from foreign countries flock to the wetland to see the birds in winter.

The wetland provides habitat for 17 globally threatened species of birds, including the endangered white-rumped vulture, long-billed vulture and greater adjutant stork.

Birdlife International has declared Deepor Beel an Important Bird Area (IBA), with high priority for conservation.

“More awareness needs to be spread amongst the people on Deepor Beel as an important site for migratory birds. We may not be here for a long time but the future generations should know the importance of this place and steps should be taken for its conservation,” Terong said.

Ornithologist P.C. Bhattacharjee said Deepor Beel has always been an important place for migratory birds.

Birds are an important indicator of health of the bio-diversity of an area.

“If they do not like the place, they will go away,” he said.