Mukutmanipur Tourism Hit: Migratory Bird Numbers Plummet, Forest Dept Concerned

• Mukutmanipur, a major tourist hub in Bankura, faces a significant decline in migratory bird numbers, impacting tourism.
• A recent bird census by the Forest Department revealed a drastic reduction in bird arrivals and the absence of certain species like the Northern Pintail.
• The Forest Department and researchers are actively investigating potential causes, including excessive pesticide use, plastic pollution, and degraded water quality.
• Increased tourist activity, uncontrolled motorized boat movement, and indiscriminate fishing nets are also suspected of making the reservoir unsafe for birds.
• Initiatives are underway to test water quality and regulate boat movement to address the decline and protect the bird habitat.

Why It Matters: Mukutmanipur's tourism and ecosystem are threatened by a sharp decline in migratory birds, prompting urgent investigation.