India, June 21 -- Desilting work at the Bhadalwadi percolation tank has raised concerns among conservationists and forest officials over potential damage to waterbird nesting habitats.

The Bhadalwadi nesting colony, located adjacent to the Ujani backwaters, supports more than 500 active nests annually and is considered the only major colonial waterbird nesting site in the vicinity of the reservoir. Species such as Painted Storks, Grey Herons, Great and Indian Cormorants, Little and Cattle Egrets, Black-headed Ibises and Eurasian Spoonbills regularly breed at the site.

While desilting of the waterbody had been permitted by the revenue authorities, a subsequent inspection found that several trees within the habitat had been affected durin...