Punjab, Haryana sound alert after outbreak of avian influenza in Himachal’s Pong Dam lake

In wake of the outbreak of avian influenza (bird flu) in Pong Dam Lake in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh that has been claiming hundreds of 'winged visitors', Punjab and Haryana wildlife departments have sounded an alert in their respective wetlands. The authorities swung into action after the National Institute of High Security Animal Disease (NIHSAD), Bhopal, confirmed that avian flu (H5N1) caused the death of aquatic birds in the Pong Dam lake.

The report released by the NIHSAD says that samples (five dead Bar-Headed goose) from Wildlife Sanctuary Pong Dam were received from Deputy Conservator of Forest (Wildlife Division), Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh on January 4, 2021. All the birds tested positive for H5N1 avian influenza virus by Real Time RT-PCR.

Earlier, the Regional Diseases Diagnostic Laboratory (RDDL), Jalandhar, and Veterinary College, Palampur, reported, after postmortem examination conducted on the carcasses of migratory birds, avian influenza as cause of their mortality.

Taking preventive measures, the Kangra district administration has banned the sale of poultry products in Dehra, Jawali, Fatehpur and Indora sub-divisions and the areas surrounding the lake.

After the reports were received, Rakesh Prajapati, DM, Kangra declared the 1-km area from the lake as a red zone to contain the spread of the virus in poultry birds and humans. He admitted that avian flu caused the death of migratory birds in Pong Dam lake. "To prevent any further spread of this contagious disease, preventive measures are being taken in and around Pong Dam reservoir as per set protocol. If avian flu spreads, we may have to cull poultry birds too,” the DM added.

The authorities have also launched an operation to burn the carcasses of migratory birds at the Pong dam lake under the observation of senior officials of the state wildlife department.

Though no death of any migratory bird has been reported in Haryana as yet, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Haryana, VS Tanwar, said that wildlife officials have been directed to keep a close watch on the movement and behaviour of the migratory birds in state wetlands and other water bodies. The officials concerned have been asked to take all preventive measures in wake of the outbreak of bird flu in Pong Dam lake in Himachal Pradesh, he said.

The Punjab Forests and Wildlife department has also sounded an alert in its wetlands including Harike in Tarn Taran, Keshopur Chhamb in Gurdaspur, Nangal Dam, Ropar and other water bodies that attract migratory birds. Though no mortality has been reported from any water body in Punjab as yet, the state wildlife department has deployed teams of wildlife staffers to keep a round-the-clock vigil at the Harike wetland, the confluence of Sutlej and Beas rivers, where over 60,000 migratory birds have arrived this year.

The authorities have also activated “wetland mitras”, a group of individuals who provide extra information about the birds or aquatic species and habitat, and local residents for informing the officials concerned if they find any abnormality in the behaviour of waterfowls and other aquatic animals.

RK Misra, Chief Wildlife Warden, Punjab, said, "As of now we are safe. I have personally asked all the concerned officials to keep a vigil on the movement and behaviour of the migratory birds. The officers and other staff have been asked to follow the set protocol."

Former Additional Chief Wildlife Warden of Punjab and founder of Nature Conservation Society, Punjab, Gurmit Singh, said that there was a desperate need to keep round-the-clock surveillance on the migratory birds in all water land including Karike which is a favourite destination for majority birds especially Bar-Headed goose. In fact, in addition to the forest and wildlife department, all the concerned departments should be roped in to keep a close watch on the migratory birds and other water fowls.

As shortage of staff often hamper surveillance, the government should put the officials concerned of all related departments, including animal husbandry, police and on alert mode before setting in of the migration, he said.

Gitanjali Kanwar, WWF specialist in aquatic biodiversity, wetlands and rivers, said claimed that the situation was quite serious. “An alarming rise in deaths is concerning and requires a serious follow-up,” she said.

In Haryana, Sultanpur National Park, Bhindawas Bird Sanctuary, Dighal, and Basai are winter sojourns for the migratory birds that descend in these destinations in lakhs. European Roller, Rosy Starling, Western Crowned Warbler and White-eyed Buzzards are some of the migratory birds besides Wood sandpiper, Smoky warbler, Moustached warbler, Common grasshopper warbler, Water rail, Baillon's crake, Great bittern, Water Pipit, and Common crane that find their new homes in Haryana every year.

Haryana has already registered almost 12,000 deaths of hens in Asia's largest poultry belt in Barwala near Chandigarh last month. The state animal husbandry department has attributed the deaths to the cold wave.