Painted storks are guests in Gujarat

AHMEDABAD: Kutch is known for its ‘flamingo city’ but not many know that right here in the city of Ahmedabad, there is a colony of painted storks. This colony exists in Sola and, every day, at least 3-4 baby storks die after falling from their nests.

Painted storks have made the area just behind Bhagwat Vidhyapith in Sola, their breeding ground. According to officials and local people, these birds stay here for nearly three months and then fly away to Thol Lake which is close to the Sola area. Thol Lake is visited by a large number of storks during winter.

“When the lake overflows with water, these birds take shelter in the trees in nearby areas and even breed. However, once the lake waters recede, the storks fly back to Thol,” said an officer.

Biren Upadhyay, a bird lover, said that he had rescued a couple of storks and given them to non-government organizations working to protect birds. “The storks are falling and dying. But the authorities of the village panchayat say the area is under the jurisdiction of Ahmedabad municipal corporation and hence they cannot take any action,” said Upadhyay.

He said that that something must be done to preserve the Sola colony. “Around 4 baby painted storks die here every day,” he said and added that he had spoken to forest department officials and they had agreed to visit the area and have a look.