Jaipur: In the jostle for likes and reach on social media, wildlife photographers at Sambhar Lake near Jaipur are disturbing the very creatures they are intent on capturing.At Rajasthan‘s largest saline wetland and a Ramsar site of international significance, migratory flamingos sunning themselves on the salt flats have become the unwitting stars of viral videos, frequently chased about and scared into flight by buzzing drones.Videos captured this way are often visually stunning, with flocks of pink flamingos contrasted against white salt beds and shimmering blue waters, but they come at the cost of stressing out these graceful avians. Renowned ornithologist and author Harkirat Singh Sangha is one of several people highlighting the gravity of the situation. “Sambhar Lake attracts both Greater and Lesser flamingos, listed under Schedule II and Schedule IV of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, respectively. Drones flying over feeding and resting birds force them to flee, causing stress and disrupting their natural life cycle. Scientific studies confirm that such interference negatively impacts their daily activities,” he explained.Trending clips on Instagram and Facebook showing flocks of flamingos scattering in panic from approaching drones have finally prompted the Forest department to act — by banning drone flights over the lake without prior permission.The recent order notes that Sambhar Lake witnesses the arrival of large numbers of flamingos and other migratory birds during the winter season, and any disturbance to their breeding, nesting and foraging constitutes a punishable offence under the Wildlife (Protection) Act.“In the interest of wildlife protection, individuals, organisations, NGOs, production houses, commercial operators, or others found violating this order shall face legal action under Section 51 of the Act, and equipment such as drones will be seized,” V Ketan Kumar, deputy conservator of forests, said. “Assistant conservators of forests, divisional forest officers and other officials have been directed to ensure strict compliance,” he added.Enforcement of this order has been only partially effective, however, with people still showing up at the lake with drones in numbers. “This fragile seasonal ritual is increasingly being disrupted by the growing obsession for online visibility. Greedy photographers just have one thing in their mind: to get the best pictures or videos at any cost. The situation needs to be properly contained,” said environmentalist Dau Lal Bohra.Nature lovers across the board have welcomed the move to ban drones from Sambhar Lake, but stressed the need for more active enforcement. “The Forest department should act decisively against anyone found flying drones in Sambhar,” another environmentalist said.
Drones prove menace for Sambhar flamingos, prompt ban | Jaipur News
