Sat Jun 21 05:38:58 UTC 2025: **News Article:**

**Okhla Bird Sanctuary Faces Dire Crisis as Bird Populations Plummet**

**New Delhi, June 21, 2025** – The Okhla Bird Sanctuary (OBS), once a haven for migratory birds, is facing an ecological crisis as bird populations have drastically declined, according to a recent report. A 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. Experts attribute this decline to severe water pollution in the Yamuna River, habitat destruction, and human encroachment.

The Yamuna River, the sanctuary’s primary water source, has become heavily polluted with untreated sewage and industrial effluents, rendering the water toxic to aquatic life. “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. Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) levels have reached alarming levels, nearly 20 times the acceptable standard.

In addition to water pollution, the sanctuary faces threats from noise pollution and habitat destruction due to nearby highways, construction, and reduced boundaries of the eco-sensitive zone (ESZ). Environmentalists criticize the construction of structures, including a large memorial near the sanctuary, for disrupting the ecosystem. Conservationist TK Roy criticises the sanctuary’s transformation into a “disturbed entertainment park” under the guise of eco-tourism.

The decline in bird populations has disrupted key ecological processes, threatening biodiversity, especially frugivores, are vital for seed dispersal and regenerating native vegetation. Invasive species such as Typha and water hyacinth are further exacerbating the crisis.

Environmentalists are calling for urgent action to restore the Yamuna River, control pollution, remove invasive species, and replant native vegetation. They emphasize the need for stricter enforcement of environmental regulations and sustainable eco-tourism practices to protect the Okhla Bird Sanctuary and preserve its crucial role in the region’s ecosystem. 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.

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