Bengaluru lake waste traps Indian darters, rescuers say

At Doddanekundi Lake, birder Renuka Selvamani has seen three Indian darters with discarded material caught around their beaks, including mesh used to pack onions.

The Indian darter, also called the Oriental darter or snakebird, uses its long, pointed beak to spear fish. Cloth, plastic wrappers, bags and fishing nets caught around the beak can prevent the bird from feeding, Selvamani said.

Jayanthi Kallam, executive director of the Avian and Reptile Rehabilitation Centre in Horamavu, said the centre now receives at least one report of a darter in distress each week, compared with only a couple in a year previously. Reports have come from at least 10 Bengaluru lakes, including Doddanekundi, Jakkur, Yelahanka, Hesarghatta, Rachenahalli, Sampengahalli, Lalbagh and Chelkere.

Rescuing the birds can be difficult because they may fly away before rescuers get close. The centre uses a motorised boat, drone tracking and binoculars. Birds that are rescued can be weak and emaciated.

Birdwatchers are discussing an awareness-poster campaign at lakes. Permissions are still being worked out; the proposed posters would identify dangerous waste and explain how it affects the birds.