Why the decline of the Okhla Bird Sanctuary is a wake-up call for man's relationship with Nature in urban areas

The Hindu

5 days ago

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 sanctuary.Anand 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.