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The Hindu
2 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Why the decline of the Okhla Bird Sanctuary is a wake-up call for man's relationship with Nature in urban areas
On any given morning , the city's cacophony falls silent inside the Okhla Bird Sanctuary (OBS). For a moment, it feels like a quieter and greener world. But as time grows on you here, the silence becomes unsettling. There was a time, not long ago, whenthousands of migratory birds visited the shimmering wetlands. The once teeming with life wetland was a haven for over 300 species of birds. Today, it is barren and desolate. Dr. Sumit Dookia, an ornithologist and associate professor at the University School of Environment Management, says the OBS survives on the river Yamuna, and a barrage, which regulates the water by periodically opening and shutting the gates. 'Now, there is no supply of fresh water in the Delhi stretch of the Yamuna River, and that shows up in the drastic decline inaquatic life,' he says. In 1990, when the OBS was declared a protected area under the Wildlife Protection Act, it was celebrated as a crucial refuge for migratory birds travelling thousands of kilometres to escape harsh winters in other regions of the world. Over the years, birdwatchers marveled at the sight of ospreys, skimmers, and ducks gliding across its wetlands. But now, numbers tell a grim tale. A recent survey by the Annual Waterbird Census (AWC) revealed a steep decline in bird populations, from 8,776 individual waterbirds in 2020 to 3,380 in 2024. The once thriving ecosystem is in peril. The drop in bird populations at OBS has disrupted key ecological processes, threatening biodiversity. Birds, especially frugivores, are vital for seed dispersal and regenerating native vegetation. But their absence severely reduces native plant regeneration, weakening the overall ecosystem with invasive species such as Typha and water hyacinth putting the sanctuary's future in crisis. At the core of all troubles is the river Yamuna. Once a lifeline for Delhi and its neighbouring regions, the Yamuna has been reduced to what conservationists now call a 'lifeless nallah.' Polluted with untreated sewage and industrial effluents, the river's water at Okhla Barrage has become so toxic that its biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) levels reached 58 mg/l, nearly 20 times the acceptable standard of 3 mg/l in 2020. 'The water often turns black, and fish can no longer survive; as a result birds which depend on clean water for fishing have disappeared,' says the sanctuary caretaker. Besides water pollution, human activity poses another threat to OBS. The sanctuary is surrounded by highways and bridges, contributing to incessant noise pollution. Honking vehicles and loud visitors disrupt the tranquility essential for bird habitats. In 2015, the Ministry of Environment declared an eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) around the sanctuary to limit construction. But instead of the standard 1-kilometer buffer, the boundary here was reduced to just a few meters, paving the way for urban sprawl. 'Encroachments around Okhla Bird Sanctuary, both illegal by nearby settlements and legal by the Forest Department, are harming its ecosystem. Constructions like kiosks, paved roads, and massive structures such as the stone park and memorial on the eastern side have disrupted the sanctuary. Despite court challenges, little action has been taken. Road construction on the northern side, skyscrapers near the gate are endangering the biodiversity.' Dr. Dookia adds. The sanctuary's ecological struggles reached a turning point in 2011 with the Rashtriya Dalit Prerna Sthal built few meters from the Arya, an environmentalist who filed a petition in the court against the building of the memorial says, 'More than 6,000 were felled, whichdisrupted the ecosystem; many types of songbirds stopped coming. The place today has turned into a concrete jungle'. Despite his efforts, the Supreme Court, in a judgment delivered in 2010, ultimately ruled against him, allowing the construction to continue. ConservationistTK Roy criticises the sanctuary's transformation into a 'disturbed entertainment park' under the guise of eco-tourism. He says the unauthorised structures have degraded the natural habitats for the avian population. 'It's a documented failure of the administration and the forest department. Their unwillingness to protect the place is evident,' he says. 'Many issues, such as the construction of large electricity towers could have been avoided; recently, they opened the barrage and pumped out all the water for repairs, leaving the wetlands dry. This is sheer mismanagement,' he adds. Roy suggests restoring wetland health by ensuring consistent water flow from the Okhla Barrage, removing the invasive species, and planting native fruit-bearing trees to support bird populations. Successful river restoration efforts worldwide offer key lessons for reviving the Yamuna. Models like the Thames and Rhine highlight the need for stricter pollution control. Efforts to clean up the sanctuary in the past have been symbolic. For many locals, the sanctuary holds cherished memories. Hemant Shukla, a resident who grew up in the area, recalls a time when the sanctuary was a peaceful retreat. 'During my childhood it was a nice spot to spend the day. Now you cannot sit here because of the stink,' he says. The sanctuary needs to be reclaimed because its story is not just about birds or polluted rivers; It's about humanity's relationship with nature.
The Star
7 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Chinese tour operators enter 'hibernation mode' as Malaysian tourists to Thailand overtake China for first time in 13 years
BANGKOK: Thailand's tourism industry is grappling with a significant downturn in Chinese visitors, with many tour operators entering what industry leaders describe as "hibernation mode" as they await a market recovery expected by 2026. The Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) has warned that Chinese tourist arrivals this year will reach only five million people, with the majority coming for business rather than leisure purposes. True tourist groups are estimated to represent just 20 per cent of arrivals, or approximately one million visitors. The decline reached a symbolic milestone on June 6 when Malaysian tourists surpassed Chinese visitors to become Thailand's top source market for the first time in 13 years, since 2012. Statistics from Jan 1 to 8 June show Chinese tourist arrivals totalling 2,029,481 people, whilst Malaysian visitors reached 2,041,002. The shift follows ongoing safety perception issues that have plagued Thailand's image amongst Chinese travellers, particularly since the disappearance of Chinese actress Xing Xing near the Thai-Myanmar border in early January. Sisdivachr Cheewarattanapor, Honorary President and Senior Advisory Chairman of ATTA, which represents 1,554 members including tour operators and tourism businesses, described the severe impact on the industry. "Since the Xing Xing incident, Chinese tourist confidence has been affected for over five months," he told Krungthep Turakij. "Some tour companies specialising in the Chinese market are in hibernation mode because there's no work, no tours coming in." He explained that stronger companies are struggling to survive whilst hoping for recovery in the remaining months of this year and next year. Weaker operators that relied exclusively on the Chinese market have been forced to suspend operations temporarily. "Some companies have closed entirely," Sisdivachr noted. "They had reopened after Covid hoping the Chinese market would recover to pre-pandemic levels. Last year showed good travel momentum, but now with no customers, they've closed again to wait and see if the market recovers." The tourism downturn is also affecting major property developers' investment strategies. Wallapa Traisorat, CEO and Managing Director of Asset World Corp Public Company Limited (AWC), revealed that while the company's five-year investment plan worth 100 billion baht remains on track, adjustments may be necessary to align with global economic conditions. "The economy may recover and improve in the next 2-3 years," Wallapa explained. "We're waiting for the right timing to continue investments and focusing on projects where we see market opportunities first." AWC is concentrating its investments on destination model projects to strengthen the potential of both cities and the country by continuously attracting global partners. Key projects include Wang Nakhon Kasem in Yaowarat, Aquatique Pattaya, Lanna Thique Chiang Mai, and The Ritz-Carlton Bangkok, The Riverside hotel project. The company has notably adjusted the timeline for its ambitious Asiatique The Riverfront project, which originally planned to build Thailand's tallest 100-story building. - The Nation/ANN
Miami Herald
30-05-2025
- General
- Miami Herald
‘Pint-sized' predator declared locally extinct in Australia. It's making comeback
Just before sundown in the Scotia Wildlife Sanctuary of Australia, smoke filled the sky. Representatives of the Barkindji people were conducting a smoking ceremony to prepare the sanctuary for the milestone return of a fearsome predator — 93 'pint-sized' phascogales. Red-tailed phascogales, known locally as bulku in the Barkindji language, are tiny carnivorous marsupials that have been considered locally extinct in New South Wales since 2016, according to a May 29 news release from the Australian Wildlife Conservancy. Driven to extinction in the region by the introduction of invasive species like cats and foxes, the phascogales have been kept alive through captive breeding programs, according to the conservancy. The last phascogale seen in the Scotia Wildlife Sanctuary was recorded in 1866, the organization said, but that just changed. A total of 56 females and 37 males have now been reintroduced into the wild from a breeding program at the Adelaide Zoo, following health checks, the conservancy said. The bulku were packed into cars and driven seven hours from the zoo to the sanctuary, where they were met by local representatives, according to the release. 'According to AWC ecologists and Adelaide zookeepers, most of the phascogales slept soundly throughout the journey,' the conservancy said. Once the animals arrived, they 'were awoken shortly after sundown, and one-by-one they were released into AWC's Scotia Wildlife Sanctuary's (19,768-acre) feral predator-free fenced area — one of the largest feral-free areas on mainland Australia.' About a third of the animals, 26, were collared with tracking transmitters before their release, allowing wildlife officials to track their movements and how well they survive in the first six to eight weeks in the wild. 'Arriving in May, means the Red-tailed phascogales will be settled and ready to start mating during the July breeding season,' AWC ecologist Rachel Ladd said in the release. 'We're expecting to see some juveniles running around in the second half of the year, unfortunately though, as a Dasyuridae species, this also means all of the males will drop off from the stress of breeding activities.' In a unique breeding strategy, males of the species die immediately after the breeding cycle, the conservancy said. Research suggests the die-off, called semelparity, is caused by a combination of stressors from the physiological changes during mating season that leads to gastrointestinal ulcers, immune suppression, infections and death, according to Bush Heritage Australia. If all goes to plan, wildlife officials said there could be as many as 1,400 phascogales living in the wild of the sanctuary in the next decade, according to the release. Bulku are nocturnal and typically live in trees, but can move along the ground during the day when looking for something to eat, according to Bush Heritage Australia. They eat insects, spiders and even small birds. They are incredibly small, measuring about 4 inches long and weighing about the same as a chicken egg, according to Bush Heritage Australia. They are also capable of jumping significant distances from tree to tree, more than 6 feet in a single leap. 'It's incredibly rewarding to see red-tailed phascogales back in the wild in Scotia after more than a century,' Mark Smith, the conservation manager at Zoos South Australia, said in the release. 'This release is the culmination of years of dedicated work by the Zoos SA team to breed this remarkable species for conservation. Working with the AWC has allowed us to take that next vital step — moving animals from behind-the-scenes care into wild landscapes where they belong.' Scotia Wildlife Sanctuary is in western New South Wales in southeastern Australia, about a 330-mile drive northeast from Adelaide.
West Australian
30-05-2025
- Business
- West Australian
Kare Kits donation drive for Albany Women's Centre more important than ever thanks to cost of living
Cost of living increases and an uptick of women fleeing family violence means the donation drive to stock Albany's women's refuge with basic toiletries and clothing is more important than ever, organisers say. Albany Soroptomists and Anglicare WA are asking the community to give all they can to the 2025 Kare Kits Donation Drive to provide women and children housed at Albany Women's Centre with practical items to help them while they get back on their feet. AWC manager Joanna Fictoor said the drive, running from May to June, was more important than ever this year given the increase in women and children of all ages living at the crisis accommodation facility. 'With the housing and cost-of-living crisis, there is a significant increase in families living together,' she said. 'We are seeing three generations of families present for accommodation. 'The centre continues to operate at capacity, providing support and accommodation to 80 women and children, on average, every six months.' Now in its ninth year, the drive collects items for the drawstring bags that each woman at the centre can receive, containing essentials like shampoo, toothbrushes and clothing. Albany Soroptimists project co-ordinator Janet McArtney said people could support the drive in myriad ways. 'Financial donations or vouchers/cards for department stores and supermarkets are most practical as they can be used to buy school uniforms, general clothing, and shoes to fit the family in need or help to purchase furniture and whitegoods for women ready to move into permanent accommodation,' she said. 'We also need donations of boys' and girls' clothing in new condition and school items such as backpacks, lunchboxes, drink bottles and pencil cases filled with stationery. 'Full-sized toiletry items such as shampoo, conditioner, body wash and deodorant are also welcome.' 'Most pharmacies in Albany have gratefully shown their support for the donation drive by committing to donate excess stock throughout the six-week fundraiser.' Donations are collected from more than 45 businesses, schools and organisations across the Great Southern. Charmaine Trundle, from Albany real estate agency Wellington and Reeves, said she and her colleagues participated as a collection point every year and could see the need through their work. 'A lot of our teams see people first-hand, doing it tough, especially our property managers dealing with renters,' she said. 'So just that little thing of being able to give something that shows them the community cares and they're not alone and just left to their own devices is really the main thing.' Collection point locations and a portal for tax-deductible monetary donations can be found at .
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Rare Aussie creatures photographed coming to surface for 'super cool' battle
Rare images show ordinarily shy marsupials engaging in a fierce battle in the early morning hours. While it's common to see kangaroos boxing each other, there's a reason we don't often see greater bilbies engaging in the same behaviour. There aren't many of them. The pictures were taken at a predator-proof sanctuary created by Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC), which keeps small mammals safe from invasive cats and foxes. Dr Alexandra Ross, an ecologist who studies greater bilby behaviour, said the animals are so sparsely populated, it's uncommon to see two together. 'I find it exciting to have two in one shot, and then to have them fighting is super cool… they're showing a behaviour that would be normal, but we don't see it because they're so rare,' she told Yahoo News. Bilbies can share ranges and warrens, but large numbers don't live together, and they are known to be territorial. At least one of the bilbies is a male, and so Ross and the AWC team believe the images may capture a territorial dispute. 'The greater bilby used to cover around 80 per cent of Australia, but its range has declined by 80 per cent. They're super rare, but they're not supposed to be. They're supposed to be a common species,' she said. Before Europeans arrived in Australia, it would have been common to hear the sounds of greater bilbies throughout Central Australia, extending across to Adelaide and Perth. Today, their range is limited to isolated pockets of Western Australia and the Northern Territory. 'These two bilbies fighting should be a common sight outside your bedroom window, but we have to go to all this effort now so they can exist,' Ross said. 📸 Sad story behind viral image highlights Australia's invasive species crisis 😳 Grim discovery in abandoned fishing trap near popular track 🌏 Air crew makes exciting 'once-in-a-lifetime' discovery in outback The footage was taken in the Northern Territory at Newhaven Wildlife Sanctuary, a 261,501 hectare property that's home to 14 species threatened with extinction. Because native marsupials evolved without any evolutionary recognition of cats or foxes, in the wild, those that can't quickly learn are quickly killed. Inside the sanctuary, there is some evidence that their wary behaviour changes because they don't have to be on the lookout for introduced predators. 'Once you've got the cats and foxes out, you can bring back the native species that used to be in the area, and then they do spectacularly well. 'They're meant to be here, so as soon as you give them a chance, they do great.' Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
