Recent census indicates a 15% fall in number of birds at the lake, reports Himanshu Kaushik Ahmedabad: Gujarat forest department may be rejoicing at the possibility of an increase in number of lions in the recently concluded census of the Asiatic Lion, but a possible drop in the number of migratory birds at Nal Sarovar may come as a dampener. It also sounds an alarm bell that all is not well with one of the largest wetlands in the state. For the first time in the decade, there is the l i ke l i - hood of a 15-20 per cent drop in the number of migratory birds spotted at Nal Sarovar, say experts who were involved in the bird census held in January. The drop may have been a result of the water level at Nal going down below three feet level, a situation not conducive for hosting migratory birds. Sources said that the low water level at Nal Sarovar may have deterred the birds from visiting the area. Officials said there was a possibility of the number going down below 2.30 lakh. The census in 2008 had recorded over 2.53 lakh migratory birds. An official, who was part of the census exercise in January, has expressed concern that citings were far less and the decline would reflect in the census results. During the census exercise, he said, 60 bird experts echoed the feeling that the area needs urgent attention of the state government which should immediately impose restrictions on the construction activities in and around Nal Sarovar. Experts said that the fall in the water level of the lake was caused by increase in construction activities in the catchment area of the Nal Sarovar. A senior officer, who was part of the bird census, said there were just small patches of water at several places. The lake never looked what it was earlier and hence the birds visiting the area stayed away. The state government has decided to earmark five km area from the sanctuary as eco-sensitive zone as against the supreme court directive to have 10 km area as eco-sensitive Zone. Experts, however, said that the loss of Nal Sarovar may be the gain for small water bodies in and around the city.