Bird ringing programme at Pong Dam takes a hit due to bird flu

Chandigarh, Jan. 18 -- The bird ringing programme, aimed at collecting information on bird's migratory patterns has failed to take off at Pong wetland this year due to the outbreak of avian influenza-H5N1 in Himachal.

The bird ringing project was launched in Himachal in 2013 with an aim to collect information on bird's migratory patterns, survival rates and monitor if any particular species show signs of decline. For this, the Forest Department had established a state-of-the-art bird ringing station at Pong wetland in Kangra district.

Bird ringing is done by clipping a bird with a small metal ring to study and understand the routes they use to fly, their migration patterns and resting sites. The metal ring with a unique alpha-numeric code...