In 2000, it took a military operation to halt the march of water hyacinth in Harike, one of the internationally protected wetlands in India, famous for a large number of birds, both local and migratory. The invasive hyacinth problem was squeezing the life out of its 41-square-metre area for some time.

If the state animal resources development department (ARD) officials thought they could sit back and relax even after the containment of highly pathogenic H5N1 virus that spread to 16 districts in the state earlier this year, here is a word of caution from the Centre.

BANPUR: Here is a piece of good news for wildlife enthusiasts and bird watchers. About 17,000 migratory avian species have arrived in Nalabana bird sanctuary in Chilika, the largest brackish water lake in Asia, according to DFO (wildlife), Chilika, Akhyaya Kumar Patra.

Migrating waterfowl may be carrying avian influenza viruses from Asia to the Americas, US government researchers reported on Tuesday.

They found genetic evidence that some non-dangerous influenza viruses infecting northern pintail ducks in Alaska are genetically more closely related to Asian strains of bird flu than to North American strains.

A huge South Korean land reclamation project has destroyed wetlands, killed migratory birds and pushed endangered species toward extinction, a report obtained at the weekend said.

BHUBANESWAR: Mangalajodi, lying on the perimeters of Chilika lagoon, has a paradox attached to it. It

Plan Chalked Out To Make Visitors

JORHAT, Sept 25: The illegal selling of Whistling Teals in the open market and arrest of the seller in this connection yesterday has raised concern once again on the safety and protection of wild birds, especially at a time when hordes of migratory birds are scheduled to descend in the region.