For generations, the winter skies above the serene confluence of the Saryu and Gomti rivers in Uttarakhand's Bageshwar district were a breathtaking spectacle. Flocks of migratory birds, having traversed thousands of kilometres from Central Asia and Siberia, would descend upon the historic wetland, filling the air with life and sound. Today, that same landscape tells a story of profound loss and ecological neglect.
From Birdsong to the Sound of Excavation
The transformation of this vital ecosystem has been gradual but devastating, according to local residents. Mornings that once began with the chorus of diverse bird species now open to the sight of labourers and machinery arriving at the scarred riverbed. Sushmita Thapa, a local resident, poignantly captures the change: "Now all you see are pits and boulders. The river no longer feels alive." Where hundreds of birds once gathered, the area is now marked by deep mining pits, scattered boulders, and water choked with stagnant algae.
This site was officially recognised as a crucial wetland ecosystem and a key stopover for long-distance migratory waterbirds. Species like Gadwall ducks, northern pintails, bar-headed geese, tufted ducks, and common pochards would call this place home until March. Even rare visitors, including the majestic Siberian crane, were occasionally sighted after their epic journeys. Today, not a single migratory bird can be seen along this desolate stretch.
The Root Cause: Unregulated Mining and Administrative Failure
Environmental experts and activists point a direct finger at rampant, unregulated mining as the central cause of this ecological collapse. The destruction of the riparian zone—the interface between land and river—has dismantled natural feeding grounds and erased the safe havens birds depend on for rest and sustenance.
Environmental activist Ramesh Krishak explains the damage: "Illegal mining has punctured the river's natural flow and broken an ecological relationship that existed for centuries, turning a once-thriving habitat into a corridor of disturbance." He further alleged that this habitat fragmentation is occurring under the passive watch of the administration. Birdwatchers like Threes Kapoor note that migratory species are exceptionally sensitive to noise and human activity. "Even minor noise or perceived threat is enough for them to abandon a site," Kapoor said. This sensitivity explains the long disappearance of species like the greater flamingo, once recorded at the confluence.
Economic Dreams Dashed and a Distant Refuge
The ecological loss has also extinguished local hopes for nature-based tourism. Residents recall a time when the confluence attracted birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts, offering sustainable economic potential. Local trader Bhupendra Joshi laments, "The birds gave this place its soul. Without them, the place feels abandoned."
A faint glimmer of hope persists at man-made Baijnath Lake, approximately 25km away. Range forest officer Mahendra Gunsai confirmed that migratory birds have been sighted there over the past two to three years and are being monitored this season. However, the numbers are a mere fraction of the populations once supported by the Saryu-Gomti confluence, underscoring the scale of the loss.
As public concern grows, mining authorities have pledged action. District mining officer Nazia Hasan stated that a strict enforcement drive against illegal extraction will be launched soon. The question remains whether this intervention can restore what has been lost or merely prevent further damage to the silent skies of Almora.
