Indore's renowned Sirpur Lake, a designated Ramsar wetland and a beloved haven for bird enthusiasts, presents a silent and worrying scene this winter. The iconic ruddy shelducks, a reliable sight with 24 pairs visiting annually, have failed to appear entirely. This absence signals a severe ecological crisis primarily driven by the rampant spread of water hyacinth, which has strangled the lake's vitality.
A Sanctuary Fallen Silent
Bird watchers and conservationists report a shocking near 50 percent decline in migratory bird movement at Sirpur Lake this season, marking the steepest drop in recent memory. While arrivals had been dwindling over the past two winters, the current season's impact has been devastating, even during the peak migration period from October to February.
"We used to get 24 couples of shelducks every winter. They have now completely stopped coming as Sirpur is gradually losing its charm as a conducive habitat for migratory birds. Golden pheasants have also vanished," said Padma Shri awardee Bhalu Mondhe, president of the non-profit Nature Volunteers in Indore. He expressed grave concern that continuous neglect could jeopardize the lake's prestigious Ramsar status.
The Strangling Grip of Water Hyacinth
The core of the problem is visibly clear. Experts estimate that approximately 150 acres of the lake's surface—nearly half of its total area—is now choked by the invasive water hyacinth. This leaves minimal open water for birds to land, feed, or rest.
"This is the peak season for migratory birds, but sightings are unusually low. Large stretches of the lake are inaccessible for birds because there is no open water left. As a result, many species are bypassing Sirpur altogether," explained another avid bird watcher, Ajay Gadikar. The cleaning efforts by local civic bodies, he noted, are too slow to match the plant's rapid growth.
Vanishing Visitors and Wider Implications
The lake traditionally serves as a winter refuge for species travelling from the Eurasian region, including Russia, Siberia, China, and Mongolia. The sharp decline is not limited to ruddy shelducks. Birders have recorded drastic reductions in several species:
- Migratory ducks like garganey, gadwall, northern shoveller, northern pintail, and red-crested pochard.
- Wader species including common sandpiper, wood sandpiper, ruff, and plovers.
While some resident birds like spot-billed ducks remain, the overall avian footfall is dramatically lower. Environmentalists point to a combination of local issues—wetland degradation and hyacinth invasion—and global challenges like climate change and geopolitical conflicts affecting migratory routes.
A Call for Urgent, Scientific Restoration
The situation at Sirpur Lake is a critical alarm bell for wetland conservation in India. Bhalu Mondhe stressed the urgent need to appoint wetland experts to guide a scientific restoration process. Without immediate and sustained intervention, the ecological damage may become irreversible, stripping Indore of a key biodiversity hotspot and a treasured tourist destination for bird watchers nationwide. The silence at Sirpur is a loud call to action.
