the Upper and Lower lakes and the Van Vihar national of Bhopal constitute the Bhoj wetlands. This region has been recognised by the ministry of environment and forests as a wetland of national importance, but today it finds itself in the centre of a controversy. For years this area has been an important habitat of the waterfowl besides being the winter home for a large number of migratory birds. Now the sound of heavy equipment is forcing the birds to seek new destinations.

During the past three winters the Society for Forest Conservation and Documentation of Bhopal has sighted 850-900 coots, 7 pairs of brown-headed gulls, a dozen open bellied storks, 7 painted storks and 7 pairs of white ibies. The Upper lake is a major source of water for Bhopal supplying 17 million gallons to the inhabitants. In fact till 1947 the water was used for consumption without being filtered. However, after the recognition accorded to the region the Madhya Pradesh government decided to conserve and manage the wetlands effectively. A project was thus executed