Off With the Flying Colors

The world has few, India has fewer. Keoladeo National Park in Bharatpur, Rajasthan is one of the few world heritage sites designated by the UNESCO. It is not only India’s sui generis wetland world heritage site but also the haven for largest variety of birds on the planet. Despite its international distinction, the sanctuary is on the verge of closure.Water scarcity is virtually choking off the lives of hundreds of species of birds in the park. The mandatory annual supply of 500 mcft from Panchna dam is now reduced to a mere 18 mcft, hugely affecting the natural balance.

The crisis sparked off six months ago when the local farmers belonging to the politically powerful Meena and Gujjar communities demanded that they were being denied adequate irrigation water. Fearing electoral losses, the state government of Vijaaye Raje Sindhia immediately obliged, turning an area of over 11 kilometers of marshland into a square of less than 1 kilometer.Experts say the government plan to bring Chambal water to the park is unviable as birds don't need piped water, but fish, planktons and algae that flow with natural water.

Leaving aside the political smarms, it is overly understandable that in order to maintain the sanctuary natural flow of water is essential and piped water will eventually be rendered useless. Large areas have already been turned into grazing grounds for cattle affecting both bird count and the seasonal nesting.Given the economic cost of this negligence, the government should act at once.

The capacity of the Panchana Dam is 1760 mcft which if optimally used could head off the ciris. But the question is what is optimal, especially in politics? The government of Rajasthan knows that they need vote (more than water) to survive and birds do not vote. On the other hand farmers can hardly be blamed for asking water for their land and so the onus is entirely on the government to redeem this issue at its earliest.

Questions may arise about the water shortage which is only a six-month development. Had this been a protracted problem with the area, precedents would come handy; but given its political interpretation this impasse is far complex than any straight solution.

Before long the situation is resolved the Bharatpur sanctuary may well lose its UNESCO status adding further to its dwindling tourism business. A signature campaign is already underway that would address the issue at the national level for immediate resolution. If you strongly feel for this issue to be considered as a matter of national importance, then you can post your comments on the ndtv.com message board to generate awareness.