AHMEDABAD: Gujarat, having one of the biggest bird sanctuaries in India and 20 major wetlands which are a major stop-over destination for winged visitors from far off lands, is bracing up against an avian flu outbreak.

The anxiety can be gauged from the decision of the Central Government to issue an "alert" to Gujarat and asking it to watch out for suspected cases or carriers of the dreaded bird flu virus.

"The Centre has alerted the Animal Husbandry department of the State to watch out for birds from South-East Asia and China," Conservator of Forests D.S. Narve said.

"They have asked us to look out specially for three main species of migratory birds, the Large Black Headed Gull and the Bar Headed Geese and the Large Cormorant which are believed to be the main carriers of bird flu," Mr. Narve said.

"The three identified species of birds are residents of cold regions of Central Asian countries and arrive in Gujarat this time of the year and stay on till March," he said.

Gujarat, with over 20 major wetlands including a bird sanctuary, falls under the migratory routes of these birds, he added.

According to a census carried out by forest department in the winter (migratory season) of 2004, there are about 15 lakhs birds in different wet-lands across the State, including Nal Sarovar which is one of the biggest bird sanctuaries in the country spread over 64 km area near here.

According to a rough estimate by the department, about 60 per cent of the 15 lakh birds is believed to be migratory.

"There are about 20 major sites where different migratory birds make a stop-over in Gujarat," Mr. Narve said.

Some of these sites include Khilajia in Jamnagar, Pariyej in Kheda district, Wadwan near Vadodara, Nani Kakrad near Navsari, Thol, Porbandar and the Marine National Park - all of which have a sizeable number of winged visitors.

The forest department has already sent letters to the forest divisions across the state asking them to maintain a close watch on the birds, the official said adding that the field staff of the department has been asked to look out for birds "appearing" sick or report unprecedented death from a particular place while the animal husbandry department will check the poultry birds.

According to 2004 census, in Nal Sarovar alone about 1,20,000 birds were found in the sanctuary and so checking out for birds with flu seems to a phenomenal task and the wide area in which they inhabit in the State. -- PTI

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