Even as about 6000 migratory birds have been spotted so far at Najafgarh drain and jheel (lake) this winter season, the fishing nets used by local farmers over the lake in Najafgarh wetland to keep migratory birds away have been leading to their injuries or deaths.

Farmers can use only those fishing threads that are not harmful for birds but fish-eating species are often trapped and many die after being entangled in the nylon nets. Acting on a tip off, the team members of Haryana Wildlife department conducted raids over the last one month and removed 30 fishing nets from Najafgarh wetland lakes, said Sultanpur National park (wildlife) inspector Rajesh Chahal. “Despite repeated warnings by the Haryana department of Forest and Wildlife, nylon netting continues to be used on fish lakes by farmers in various villages of Najafgarh wetland areas, Gurugram,” he added. 

Najafgarh wetland area has been known for natural bird sanctuary. Using thread nets has been a violation of an advisory issued under Section 3 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, for the protection of exotic and migratory species of birds.

Talking to ‘The Pioneer’ over the phone, Chahal said, “Najafgarh is one of the few places where we noted an increase in population and diversity of species this year. Birds arrive during the winter migration season from many countries between September and October and make a return journey by March. About 6000 migratory birds have been spotted so far at Najafgarh lakes this winter season. Fish-hunting migratory birds often dive into water bodies in search of food and end up getting entangled in it and getting injuries or even dying.”

He further said that the local fish farmers use nylon nettings on their lakes to protect their fishe which are not allowed as birds get trapped in these, leading to their injury or death. Different species of birds, mainly the fish-eating ones, get entangled in nets laid over lakes and wetlands by farmers.

Chahal said that some migratory birds were found to be injured while in recent years, some were found dead in lakes due to the netting. Some nature lovers from Najafgarh have lodged a complaint to the forest and wildlife officials regarding the same. In view of this, the department officials had conducted raids and seized 30 such fishing nets and such raids would continue, he added.

Another wildlife official said that the bird diversity at Najafgarh Jheel was better than at other wetlands in Delhi and NCR. “This year, everybody is surprised to see so many bird species at Najafgarh as compared to other wetlands, including Sultanpur. It is due to availability of food at the lake, especially for carnivores,” he added.

He further said, “Most farmers use nylon threads which are not allowed as birds get trapped in these, leading to their death. Farmers can use only those threads that are not harmful for birds, but those are expensive. Eleven farmers were recently challaned for using these nets on their ponds and a penalty of up to Rs 2,000 has been imposed on them. Over 40 incidents of using pond nettings have been reported from Jhajjar and Rohtak districts last year.”

Nylon thread is used as netting for stopping the birds from eating fish from their ponds. “Nylon thread costs Rs 3,000 per acre. Hence, farmers use this thread instead of other lake net covers that are too expensive. These net covers cost at least Rs 40,000 per acre,” he said.

He further said, “The officers concerned face a tough task in implementing the advisory properly, as many fish farmers resist when the officials come there to remove nets from the lakes and to challan them for violation.”

He also drew attention to the lack of official wetland status for Najafgarh, which has been pending for the past four years, when a National Green Tribunal order called for the water body’s protection. An official wetland status is imperative for the site so that conservation and scientific inquiries will get a boost. Fifty-four species of waterfowl, including six species red-listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), were recorded in a census at the Najafgarh jheel in January this year, he added.