Sambhar Lake in Rajasthan – Destination of thousands of migratory birds from globe turned in to largest graveyard of birds in India till date

This article talks about Sambhar lake in Rajasthan. It deals with the location of Sambhar lake, its ecological and commercial importance. It also discusses how this lake turned in to the largest graveyard of birds in India till date due to outbreak of avian botulism and what steps are taken by administration to ameliorate the horrible situation.

Sambhar Lake

Commercial Importance of Sambhar Lake

Ecological Importance of Sambhar Lake

Why in News?

Avian Botulism

Administrative Efforts

Threats faced by Sambhar Lake

Conclusion

Sambhar Lake

Sambhar Lake is a salty lake located in state of Rajasthan of India. It is the largest inland saline water lake of India. It spreads in districts of Jaipur, Ajmer and Nagaur. It is fed by four seasonal rivers namely “Rupangarh”, “Medtha”, “Khari” and “Kkandela”. The source of salinity of Sambhar lake is soluble sodium salts of Aravali hills. The salts reach Sambhar lake through the rivers feeding it. Lake is surrounded by Aravali hills.

Commercial Importance of Sambhar Lake

Sambhar Lake is blessed with its salt content. This is a gift of Thar Desert to Sambhar lake in Rajasthan. A public sector undertaking called “Sambhar Salts Ltd” is an important salt producer from Sambhar lake. Sambhar Lake contributes almost 9% of overall salt production of India. The salt production from this lake is more than thousand years old as we have witnessed its mention in our historic documents.

Ecological Importance of Sambhar Lake

Sambhar Lake is famous for its ecological significance. Every year, thousands of birds reach Sambhar Lake as it is a perfect resting point for migratory birds. The birds who travel several miles to escape chilling cold of cold areas like Siberia, Arctic& North Pole reach such areas where they can spend a good time and get food and water. Hundreds of species of migratory birds also visit Sambhar Lake. Flamingos are highest in number among them. Birds visit turn this quiet place in to a tourist site. Bird lovers visit this area to see the variety of birds. Sambhar Lake is a Ramsar site which puts in to the category of important wetland.

Why in News?

In November 2019, a terrible situation arose at this beautiful site. In large number, migratory birds were found dead. Initially, the reasons of this mass avian mortality were not clear. Local residents reported to the authorities. Samples of carcasses were sent to “National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases” which negated the risk of avian flu. Later, samples were sent to “Indian Veterinary Research Institute”. The report found the outbreak of avian botulism which resulted in taking lives of large number of birds in area of Sambhar Lake. Avian botulism was already mentioned by Bikaner’s Veterinary College.

Avian Botulism

The outbreak of avian botulism is witnessed first time in India. It killed more than 20,000 birds in Sambhar Lake region. It is caused by eating of maggots by birds. Maggots are legless larvae of insects. They are carrying bacteria named Clostridium botulinum in Sambhar Lake area. These bacteria entered in to bodies of birds when they fed upon maggots contaminated with bacteria. This resulted in manifestation of severe illness in birds especially paralysis and led to death of birds. The disease further propagated through carcasses. Since carcasses of birds are infected with bacteria, the bacteria found the proteins of birds as a food source and proliferated. Similarly, bacterial pores also germinated on carcasses on finding food and suitable temperature. Till these favourable conditions are available to bacteria, it is difficult to prevent the spread of avian botulism.    

Administrative Efforts

When administration came to know the situation, immediate steps were taken by the authorities to save the birds from lethal outbreak of avian botulism. Bird loving organizations also came forward to help. Birds were given intensive care. They were rescued and kept in nurseries. When their conditions are found improved, their flight and eating are improved, they are shifted to larger enclosures in Ratan Talaab. At this release site, they are further monitored for further 24 hrs. If everything is found okay, they are released. Veterinary care team is also communicating with the countries which have already faced this situation like USA, Australia, Italy, Korea, and United Kingdom of Great Britain. This communication will be helpful in developing standard protocols for rescue, handling and treatment of birds. It will be beneficial to find out the way if incident of Sambhar Lake repeats in future and will better prepare our veterinary care providers. To tackle with the current situation, administration has taken steps to clean the carcasses from Sambhar Lake and surrounding areas. This is the key to tackle avian botulism. 

Threats faced by Sambhar Lake

Sambhar Lake is facing threats of ecological damage due to anthropogenic pressures. One of the most significant threats is salt mining excessively. Sambhar Salts Ltd is mining salt even less than its limit of 2 Metric tonn. But private sector and illegal salt mining is producing 15-20 Lakh metric ton of salt annually. Though salt production involves just evaporation of water but to fasten the process, artificial bore wells are dug out to extract the ground water. Excessive extraction has dramatically reduced ground water level impacting the ecosystem adversely.        

Conclusion

This incident of mass mortality of birds in region of Sambhar Lake in Rajasthan due to avian botulism has attracted the attention of authorities. It is crucial for not only Sambhar Lake but other wetlands also. Conservationists, nature lovers, environmentalists, ecologists, ornithologists, administration and volunteers need to work together to save such important natural stopping points for migratory birds and animals. 

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