Context: Over 40 migratory birds died at Sambhar Lake in Rajasthan.
Initial examinations suggest that the birds may have succumbed to avian botulism, a severe neuromuscular illness caused by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, which thrives in low-oxygen environments.
Earlier in 2019, more than 18,000 migratory birds from 13 to 15 species perished in the same region due to botulism.
Sambhar Lake:
1. It is a elliptically shaped lake located in Sambhar Lake Town, Jaipur district of Rajasthan. It surrounds the historical Sambhar Lake Town.
2. It is surrounded by the Aravali hills on all sides.
3. It is India's largest saline wetland and sits west of the Indian city of Jaipur.
4. It is also a designated Ramsar Site.
5. It receives water from six rivers: Mantha, Rupangarh, Khari, Khandela, Medtha and Samod.
6. The vegetation present in the catchment area is mostly xerophytic type.
7. It is the source of most of Rajasthan's salt production.
8. Historical Significance:
a. The Indian epic Mahabharata mentions the Sambhar Lake as a part of the kingdom of the demon king Vrishparva, as the place where his priest Shukracharya lived.
b. There is a temple near the lakeshore dedicated to Shakambhari Devi.
9. It is important for a variety of wintering waterbirds, including large numbers of flamingos
10. It forms part of the desert circuit in the Centre’s Swadesh Darshan Scheme.
#LakesOfIndia #RamsarSites
Source: Hindustan Times
Initial examinations suggest that the birds may have succumbed to avian botulism, a severe neuromuscular illness caused by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, which thrives in low-oxygen environments.
Earlier in 2019, more than 18,000 migratory birds from 13 to 15 species perished in the same region due to botulism.
Sambhar Lake:
1. It is a elliptically shaped lake located in Sambhar Lake Town, Jaipur district of Rajasthan. It surrounds the historical Sambhar Lake Town.
2. It is surrounded by the Aravali hills on all sides.
3. It is India's largest saline wetland and sits west of the Indian city of Jaipur.
4. It is also a designated Ramsar Site.
5. It receives water from six rivers: Mantha, Rupangarh, Khari, Khandela, Medtha and Samod.
6. The vegetation present in the catchment area is mostly xerophytic type.
7. It is the source of most of Rajasthan's salt production.
8. Historical Significance:
a. The Indian epic Mahabharata mentions the Sambhar Lake as a part of the kingdom of the demon king Vrishparva, as the place where his priest Shukracharya lived.
b. There is a temple near the lakeshore dedicated to Shakambhari Devi.
9. It is important for a variety of wintering waterbirds, including large numbers of flamingos
10. It forms part of the desert circuit in the Centre’s Swadesh Darshan Scheme.
#LakesOfIndia #RamsarSites
Source: Hindustan Times
