After Flying Thousands of Kilometres, This Is What Migratory Birds Find in India’s Wetlands

Every year, as winter settles in, thousands of migratory birds begin arriving across the subcontinent after travelling thousands of kilometres from Siberia, Central Asia, Mongolia and parts of Europe. Some descend upon the lakes of Kolkata, others gather in the wetlands of Chennai, while flocks of flamingos paint parts of Mumbai pink.

For generations, these journeys have followed ancient flyways etched into nature itself.

Bar-headed geese cross the Himalayas at astonishing heights. Northern pintails skim over marshes in search of food. Sandpipers pause briefly along coastal mudflats before continuing their migration. These birds depend on resting grounds to survive long journeys that can stretch across continents.

But many of these habitats are disappearing faster than ever before.

The wetlands that once welcomed thousands

On winter mornings at Kolkata’s Santragachi Jheel, the water would once flutter with the arrival of migratory ducks from northern Asia. Birdwatchers gathered patiently to spot gadwalls, shovelers and lesser whistling ducks resting among the reeds.

Today, shrinking water levels and pollution have raised concerns about declining bird numbers.

A similar story unfolds at Pallikaranai marshland in Chennai, one of the city’s last surviving wetlands. Once spread across thousands of hectares, large portions of the marsh have been lost to roads, buildings and dumping grounds. But every year, migratory birds still attempt to return, clinging to what remains of their habitat.

In Mumbai, flamingos continue to arrive at the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary, feeding in shallow waters rich in algae and small organisms. But increasing construction activity around coastal ecosystems has placed growing pressure on these fragile habitats.

Wetlands may appear still and silent, but they are lifelines for migratory birds.

When cities expand, birds retreat

Many of the wetlands that attract migratory birds are now surrounded by expanding cities.

Lakes once located on the outskirts are today bordered by apartment complexes, highways and industrial zones. As urban spaces grow, birds lose feeding grounds, nesting areas and the calm environments they need to recover during migration.

In Bengaluru, several lakes that historically supported migratory birds have suffered from sewage inflow and frothing pollution. Bellandur Lake, often in the news for toxic foam and fires, reflects how urban neglect can change healthy ecosystems into inhospitable spaces.

Even in places where water bodies survive, constant noise, artificial lights and human movement disturb birds during important resting periods.

Migration is not just about reaching a destination. Birds need safe pauses along the way. Without them, survival becomes harder.

The water is no longer healthy

Migratory birds rely heavily on aquatic life such as fish, insects, algae and crustaceans. When wetlands become polluted, the food chain begins to collapse.

At Telangana’s Ameenpur Lake, one of the country’s recognised biodiversity hotspots, experts have repeatedly warned about pollution and encroachment affecting bird habitats. Water contamination alters oxygen levels and harms the tiny organisms birds feed on.

In several wetlands across northern and western regions, invasive plants like water hyacinth are spreading across lake surfaces. These plants block sunlight, reduce oxygen in the water and eventually suffocate aquatic ecosystems.

Birds arriving after long journeys often find waters choked with waste instead of growing feeding grounds. For species already exhausted from migration, that can mean the difference between survival and death.

Climate change is altering ancient journeys

For centuries, migratory birds have depended on seasonal patterns to guide their travel. But rising temperatures and erratic rainfall are changing those cycles.

In parts of Kashmir and Punjab, birdwatchers have observed shifts in migration timing, with some species arriving later than usual. In coastal regions, fluctuating water levels and rising salinity are altering wetland ecosystems.

At Chilika Lake in Odisha, one of Asia’s largest brackish water lagoons, migratory birds still arrive in impressive numbers each winter. However, scientists studying the region have noted how changing climate conditions can affect fish populations, water balance and habitat quality over time.

When wetlands dry too early or flood unexpectedly, birds lose feeding opportunities during migration. Even small environmental changes flow across entire flyways.

Human activity leaves little room for rest

Wetlands are increasingly becoming busy human spaces.

Tourism, boating, fishing, grazing and infrastructure projects overlap with bird habitats. While these activities may seem harmless individually, repeated disturbance keeps birds alert rather than conserving energy.

At Nal Sarovar in Gujarat, one of the country’s best-known bird habitats, concerns have frequently been raised about tourist pressure disturbing migratory species during peak season.

Birds that spend too much energy avoiding disturbance may struggle to complete migration or reproduce successfully. Some species eventually stop returning altogether.

Why their disappearance should concern everyone

Migratory birds are not only seasonal visitors admired through binoculars.

They are indicators of ecological health. Their presence signals healthy wetlands, balanced aquatic systems and functioning biodiversity. When bird numbers decline, it points to grave environmental stress such as pollution, habitat destruction or water scarcity.

Wetlands also protect cities by absorbing floods, improving groundwater and supporting livelihoods linked to fishing and agriculture. Protecting migratory birds, therefore, protects ecosystems that people depend upon, too.

The fight to save these resting grounds

Despite growing challenges, several conservation efforts are offering hope.

Communities around Chilika Lake have worked alongside conservation groups to restore bird habitats and regulate harmful fishing practices. In parts of Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, citizen birdwatchers regularly monitor migratory patterns and report ecological threats.

The declaration of Ramsar sites across multiple wetlands has also increased attention towards protecting vulnerable ecosystems.

And every winter, when the first flock appears against the morning sky, it reminds us that nature still tries to return, even after being pushed to the edge. The question is whether these birds will continue finding a place to land.

What we can do

• Treat wetlands as living ecosystems, not dumping grounds.
• Prevent sewage, plastic and industrial waste from entering lakes and marshes.
• Reduce noise, lights and disturbance in bird habitats during migration seasons.
• Protect wetlands from encroachment and unplanned urban construction.
• Support restoration of degraded lakes and marshlands.
• Remove invasive species like water hyacinth to restore aquatic balance.
• Use water responsibly and reduce pollution at the source.
• Promote eco-friendly tourism that respects bird resting and nesting areas.
• Participate in citizen science and bird monitoring efforts.
• Raise awareness about the importance of wetlands in communities and schools.
• Support conservation groups and wetland protection initiatives.
• Recognise wetlands as essential for flood control, groundwater recharge and biodiversity.