3 days ago
Pollution-degradation worry for Purulia's Sahebbandh
Purulia: Once a popular wintering ground for migratory waterbirds, Purulia's Sahebbandh now appears severely degraded. The number of waterbirds has dropped drastically, with only a handful of individuals visible during peak winter hours.
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Species that were once common at this site — such as gadwall, northern shoveler and ferruginous duck — were conspicuously absent last winter. An artificial wetland situated in the heart of Purulia town, Purulia Sahebbandh is administered by Purulia Municipality.
During a recent visit to the site, signs of ecological distress were immediately evident, said Arkajyoti Mukherjee of NGO WINGS. "Numerous dead fish were floating on the water surface — an alarming indication of deteriorating water quality.
The air was heavy with a foul, putrid smell, likely resulting from the decomposition of organic matter and low dissolved oxygen levels in the water. These observations reflect a serious decline in the wetland's ecological health, likely caused by untreated wastewater inflows, eutrophication, poor aquatic vegetation management, and increased human encroachment.
Immediate restoration measures are urgently needed to prevent further biodiversity loss and to revive Sahebbandh's role as a critical habitat for migratory waterbirds," added Mukherjee, who has been awarded a National Post-Doctoral Fellowship by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation of GoI for working in the field of wetland ecology of Purulia Sahebbandh and Adra Sahebbandh in IIT Kharagpur under the mentorship of Prof Gourav Dhar Bhowmick.
According to him, urban development has significantly impacted wetlands worldwide, including Sahebbandh — a historically vital wintering site for migratory waterbirds situated at the intersection of the Central Asian and East Asian–Australasian Flyways. A mid-winter study by Mukherjee from 2013-14 to 2019-20, using the total count method, revealed a sharp decline in both waterbird abundance and species richness.
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Waterbird numbers plummeted from 3718 (± 241.2) individuals in 2013-14 to only 163 (± 38.5) in 2019-20, while species richness fell from 59 to 17.
Of the species observed, 27 showed statistically significant population declines — eight species experienced severe declines and 19 others declined notably. "Expansion of human settlements and simultaneous loss of croplands — critical nocturnal foraging habitats — were significantly correlated with declining bird numbers.
Also, mismanagement of aquatic vegetation, particularly the unchecked growth and clearance of water hyacinth, further reduced habitat quality and food availability," he added.
By winter 2025, the situation had worsened, with only 11 species recorded and total bird abundance dropping to a mere 60-70 individuals. "A nearby wintering site, Adra Sahebbandh, has consistently supported stable populations of wintering waterbirds over the recent years,"Mukherjee added.
According to him, steps like wastewater management, vegetation restoration, community involvement and governance should be considered to revive the wetland.
Purulia Municipality chairman Nabendu Mahali didn't respond to calls made by TOI.
Purulia: Once a popular wintering ground for migratory waterbirds, Purulia's Sahebbandh now appears severely degraded. The number of waterbirds has dropped drastically, with only a handful of individuals visible during peak winter hours.
Species that were once common at this site — such as gadwall, northern shoveler and ferruginous duck — were conspicuously absent last winter. An artificial wetland situated in the heart of Purulia town, Purulia Sahebbandh is administered by Purulia Municipality.
During a recent visit to the site, signs of ecological distress were immediately evident, said Arkajyoti Mukherjee of NGO WINGS. "Numerous dead fish were floating on the water surface — an alarming indication of deteriorating water quality.
The air was heavy with a foul, putrid smell, likely resulting from the decomposition of organic matter and low dissolved oxygen levels in the water. These observations reflect a serious decline in the wetland's ecological health, likely caused by untreated wastewater inflows, eutrophication, poor aquatic vegetation management, and increased human encroachment.
Immediate restoration measures are urgently needed to prevent further biodiversity loss and to revive Sahebbandh's role as a critical habitat for migratory waterbirds," added Mukherjee, who has been awarded a National Post-Doctoral Fellowship by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation of GoI for working in the field of wetland ecology of Purulia Sahebbandh and Adra Sahebbandh in IIT Kharagpur under the mentorship of Prof Gourav Dhar Bhowmick.
According to him, urban development has significantly impacted wetlands worldwide, including Sahebbandh — a historically vital wintering site for migratory waterbirds situated at the intersection of the Central Asian and East Asian–Australasian Flyways. A mid-winter study by Mukherjee from 2013-14 to 2019-20, using the total count method, revealed a sharp decline in both waterbird abundance and species richness.
Waterbird numbers plummeted from 3718 (± 241.2) individuals in 2013-14 to only 163 (± 38.5) in 2019-20, while species richness fell from 59 to 17.
Of the species observed, 27 showed statistically significant population declines — eight species experienced severe declines and 19 others declined notably. "Expansion of human settlements and simultaneous loss of croplands — critical nocturnal foraging habitats — were significantly correlated with declining bird numbers.
Also, mismanagement of aquatic vegetation, particularly the unchecked growth and clearance of water hyacinth, further reduced habitat quality and food availability," he added.
By winter 2025, the situation had worsened, with only 11 species recorded and total bird abundance dropping to a mere 60-70 individuals. "A nearby wintering site, Adra Sahebbandh, has consistently supported stable populations of wintering waterbirds over the recent years,"Mukherjee added.
According to him, steps like wastewater management, vegetation restoration, community involvement and governance should be considered to revive the wetland.
Purulia Municipality chairman Nabendu Mahali didn't respond to calls made by TOI.
