Rajkot: As many as 50 people including wildlife activists, bird watchers and ornithologists have come together to oppose the proposed solar park near Chari Dand in Kutch district. They fear that the solar park proposed over 600-acre land by the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) would pose a threat to the nesting ground of lakhs of migratory birds. According to activists, the land sought by the NTPC is near Banni grassland and the Rann of Kutch. The area becomes a wetland during monsoon and transforms into grassland as water recedes in summer. According to ornithologists, the wetland cum grassland is home to endangered species like dalmatian pelican, oriental darter, black-necked stork, Indian skimmer. It is also known for nest ground for flamingos, common cranes, painted storks, raptors spoonbills and is considered paradise by the bird watchers. The reserved area is also a good habitat for chinkaras, wolves, caracals, desert foxes etc.Navin Bapat member of the group of 50 wildlife activists who met on Sunday in Bhuj said, We have asked the Kutch district collector to provide us the exact location where they want to set up the solar park. The place is home to 2.5 lakh birds of 146 species and 40% of birds are migratory.The solar park will adversely impact the natural habitat of birds and other animals resulting in damage to the ecosystem there, he added. Yuvrajsinh Jhala, deputy conservator of forest Kutch (west) said, The area where the solar park is proposed is not an eco-sensitive zone under the law like a sanctuary or a national park. It is not forest land either. We have received a letter from the (Kutch) district collector seeking our opinion on the proposed project and it is under consideration. According to the wildlife activists, the proposed solar park site falls in the revenue area but during the monsoon it transforms into a wetland. The area becomes a grassland as water recedes after monsoon. This area is also used as grazing land for animals like cows and buffaloes, they added.We also published the following articles recentlyBiotic homogenisation leave cities with the same birds and animalsUrbanization is causing a lack of biodiversity in cities like Pune, India. The introduction of certain plant and animal species, along with the destruction of natural habitats for development, has led to a uniform and less diverse urban ecosystem. This phenomenon, known as biotic homogenization, is detrimental to the environment and biodiversity. To address this issue, a more holistic approach is needed that considers the needs of all organisms and preserves natural habitats as much as possible.Decade after proposal, LIT yet to hand over scheme areas to MCThe Ludhiana Improvement Trust (LIT) has yet to hand over five scheme areas to the municipal corporation (MC) for maintenance, despite proposing to do so for a decade. The local bodies department has requested that LIT officials pass a resolution in their body meeting before sending it for approval. This delay is causing difficulties for residents in these colonies. LIT has already transferred water supply and sewerage works to the MC and now wants to hand over overall maintenance. LIT officials plan to propose the resolution in their next meeting.Debrigarh bird village to be mini ChilikaThe village of Govindpur, located near the Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary in India, will be developed into a mini version of the famous Chilika lake. Govindpur is known for its community conservation of birds, with over 100 species visiting the wetland between October and March. The wildlife wing of the forest department has opened nature parks and boating facilities in Govindpur to attract visitors and generate revenue for the community. Important bird species spotted in the wetland include skimmers, grebes, and ducks.

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