Sambhar, India’s largest inland salt lake, is a Ramsar site – a wetland designated to be of international importance. It attracts a staggering diversity of birds every year. Every year, from November to March, about 2,00,000 migratory birds across 65 species arrive – particularly pink flamingos, the great crested grebe, little grebe, little cormorant, black stork and great white pelican. Some parts of the lake are used for salt production.
A picture of neglect
The avian deaths have turned the lens on the region. According to reports, the Ramsar site is a picture of neglect. It is surrounded by huge salt pans, and illegal salt mining is rampant in the region.
Environmental degradation due to salt mining, excessive groundwater extraction and effluents from salt manufacturing units are a big problem here.
According to reports, parts of the wetland area are covered by invasive organisms. Ecologists hope that the government would now put an end to illegal mining and take more measures to safeguard avian and marine life.
Picture Credit : Google
