Monday, November 28 2005 15:39 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Several migratory birds, which use various parts of the country as their wintering grounds, have been identified as high-risk in terms of bird flu, Lok Sabha was informed today (Nov 28, 2005).

As per information available, the high risk migratory birds include Barheaded Geese, Great Cormorant, Brownheaded Gull and Ruddy Shelduck, Environment Minister Namo Narayan Meena said during Question Hour.

He said the major wintering grounds for these birds in India include the Brahmaputra Valley, Pong Dam (Himachal Pradesh), Bharatpur (Rajasthan), Kashmir Valley lakes, Chilka (Orissa), wetlands in Tamil Nadu, high altitude lakes in Ladakh and Gangetic plains.

The Centre has directed all Chief Secretaries and Chief Wildlife Wardens to collaborate with state veterinary departments in collecting serum samples of migratory birds and to keep surveillance not only in the protected areas but all wetlands as well.