Shutterbugs take over Hesaraghatta lake bed

A very sorry state of affairs for Hesarghatta. We need to understand that the bird's habitat and well being is way more important than a close up photograph

BANGALORE: That Hesaraghatta lake is dying is evident - all that's left is a puddle. And bird photographers are only hastening the process, as they chase rare birds on the lake bed in their cars and SUVs.

A study conducted by a team of ornithologists and road ecologists of the city has revealed that the decline of Hesaraghatta lake is largely due to increased vehicular movement within the lake area. Surprisingly, the biggest culprits ruining the ecology of the lake are those who want a close shot of birds who come here to nest.

"In the name of bird photography, they chase birds in cars and many a time, the birds die," Krishna MB, an ornithologist who has part of the study, told TOI.

Hesaraghatta lake, a source of water for the BWSSB during the early 1990s, comes under the minor irrigation department of the government of Karnataka and is located 35km from Bangalore city.

What the team found during its recently-concluded study was shocking. A total of 71 four-wheelers (cars and SUVs), a three-wheeler and six two-wheelers were counted on four days, averaging 20 vehicles a day. On one particular day when a rare bird -- the European Roller Coracias garrulus - was sighted, the number of four-wheelers went up to 26.

The vehicles were seen approaching the bird and following it relentlessly as it hopped from one perch to another. Incidentally, the bird is listed as 'vulnerable' in the Red List published by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. Vehicular movement has formed more than 43km of road stretch inside the lake area.

"Photographers need to understand that the habitat saved for posterity has more value than a close-up photograph. A photographer should wait and walk up to take a picture, not drive and pursue a bird," says Krishna.

The researchers figured out that each vehicle spends an average of over three hours chasing birds. Some vehicles were present at the lake from 6am to 6pm. Each vehicle drove through the lake area at least five times, at 40-50 km per hour. Whenever a vehicle stopped near a bird, four or five other vehicles converged at the spot and circled around. If the flustered bird rose into the air, there would be a frenzy to shoot it.

The villagers of Hesaraghatta are not very concerned as the issue doesn't affect them directly, the researchers said. Villagers use two roads on the lake bund, and the lake bed as an open toilet.

According to road ecologist Sheshadri KS, vehicles are slowly killing the lake. "The government must take the initiative to stop vehicles entering the lake premises. It should be safeguarded the way TK Halli reservoir is. Self-regulation is also important," said Sheshadri, who played a vital role in the survey.

WHAT THE REPORT SAYS

It's necessary set up a panel of stakeholders to find viable long-term solutions to this problem. The panel could have as its members a few veteran photographers, new entrants to photography, ecologists, representatives of lake users and the government. This panel should initiate a much more detailed study (than this) and attempt to identify means and ways of regulating the activity by providing clear guidelines. The panel should aim to address these two questions: 1. Should vehicles be allowed at all? 2. If yes, how many and where are they allowed to go?

EXOTIC VISITORS

When the lake had water, many open water-dependent migrants such as the Northern Shoveller, Northern Pintail and Garganey, Common Redshank, Common Greenshank, Wood Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Black-Winged Stilt, Little Ringed Plover were found here.

As the lake began drying, only those birds which prefer the grasslands or marginal wetlands began coming here. The Western Marsh Harrier, Pallid Harrier, Pied Harrier, Montagu's Harrier are known to roost in this area. Several eagles like Short-Toed Snake Eagle, White-Eyed Buzzard, Lesser Spotted Eagle, Greater Spotted Eagle, Tawny Eagle are also found here. Falcons like Lesser Kestrel, Common Kestrel and Redheaded Falcon are known to frequent the area. Also found are Indian peafowl, cuckoos, wren-warblers, pipits, larks, drongos and bush-chats.

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I agree that wildlife photographers are a major force in destroying the habitat and harassing animals and birds these days. Some of the actions are unintentional, like the destroying of the grasslands of Hessarghatta. Some other actions by photographers, who shall remain unnamed here, are deliberate and are devoid of any kind of ethics.

I was in Banni grasslands this year, and the entry points were completely devoid of grass or has dead vegetation due to overgrazing, overuse or excessive plying of vehicles etc. When one drives in some 10-15 kms, the grassland becomes better. If there were only a few vehicles plying, then it would have been tolerable. However, with so many photographers wanting to get that shot, it is near impossible for hessarghatta to survive.

Earlier only photographers with long telephoto lenses were attempting to do bird photography. With the advent of digital, people crop 100% and just show the bird. So even if the bird is completely out of range, people still try to photograph and push their vehicles into the grasslands. Earlier, people used to walk and sit at a place and try photographing birds who come closer. Now our approach has become different. Given that this study has shown the impact on the Hessarghatta grasslands, I am sure photographers will overcome their urge of driving and destroying this ecologically fragile place.