Explanation:

A group of environmentalists has written to the Department of environment that the Chandlai Lake at Shivdaspura in Jaipur district should be declared ‘Important Birding Area (IBA)’ and ‘Protected Site’ to preserve and conserve.

The inland water body, spread over 6sqkm, used to attract birds from Central Europe, Central Asia and China for five months in a year.

The figure has now dwindled and the birds’ stay too has come down to two-three months.

The Chandlai Lake at Shivdaspura is marred by illegal pumping of water by villagers to irrigate their nearby agricultural farms.

This, coupled with indiscriminate fishing, threatens the movement of migratory birds in the winter season.

The indiscriminate exploitation of the lake is posing a danger to the historically well-documented birding site.

The illegal fishing activities are leaving no food for the birds, forcing them to starve and leave for other avenues.

Reports say that the catchment area of the lake is 3,000 hectares which is marred by mass encroachments.