Twigs and Tails of Thol

Apurvanidhi Mukim

Thol is an important site for farmers, birds, and plants, and is key to their survival. However, this relationship is interdependent; since for Thol to survive and thrive as a wetland, the birds, plants and human population are equally important. This story brings to light the interdependence between mankind and nature. It's important to understand that it is a cycle, and what we give and take will come back to us.

Thol Village, Ahmedabad, Gujrat

Thol is an artificial lake that was built in 1912 largely for irrigation. The water body occupies a total area of 699 ha (6.99 sq.km.) and its periphery is 5.62 km long.

It has a canal based irrigation system with beneficiary farmers paying a small fee each year for water use. This photograph shows one of the head canals, Hijapur-Piyaj Canal.

In 1988 it was declared a bird sanctuary and is now home to more than 150 bird species.

Thol is a thriving habitat for a variety of vegetation, and is mostly surrounded by marshes.

Every year, Thol invites a variety of biodiversity. In this photograph we see a gathering of  different flocks of birds.

Green Bee Eater bird, perched on a twig

Indian Roller Bird, found worldwide but mostly in India

Thol is an active site to spot variety of waterfowl especially during the period of post-monsoon to winter.

Red Nape Ibis feeding at the wetland.

Thol is also home to many migratory birds, such as the  “Bar headed goose” known to have migrated from the Himalayas.

The contributions of birds to wetlands are many, ranging from scavenging to dispersing of seeds.

Photograph of the “The Black winged Stilt bird” and “An Eurasian Teal duck” on a morning feed.

There is an increasing concern amongst environmentalists and policy makers about  how wetlands are being affected by development. Thol is under a constant threat of environmental degradation due to natural and anthropogenic activities.

Local Tourism and agriculture being few of the threats. Waste thrown around,pollutes the ecosystem and use of intensive irrigation techniques result in rapid loss of water depth.

This story shows how an artificial lake, built for irrigation, slowly turned into a home to such variety of species.

Let's pledge to appreciate the neighbouring nature by caring and preserving it.

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