– Sahjeevan Team
Hadakiya Creek, in Gujarat’s Kachchh district, is a hidden gem along India’s west coast. It offers an abode to migratory shorebirds and an ecosystem of extraordinary diversity. Its extensive mudflats, mangrove forests, and intricate creeks support over 180 bird species and provide a critical lifeline to conservation-priority migratory species like the Bar-tailed Godwit and Curlew Sandpiper. As natural habitats like these face mounting threats, the importance of conservation becomes ever more urgent.
Both the Bar-tailed Godwit (IUCN conservation status: Near Threatened) and Curlew Sandpiper (IUCN conservation status: Vulnerable) are not only remarkable in their migratory journeys but also essential indicators of the health of coastal ecosystems. Bar-tailed Godwits are renowned for their record-breaking nonstop migrations, traveling thousands of kilometers from breeding grounds in the Arctic to wintering grounds in warmer climates in India and in western India, Hadakiya Creek of the Gulf of Kachchh is an important wintering ground for the species. For these godwits, Hadakiya’s mudflats serve as an essential refueling and resting station. Likewise, with its curved beak adapted for foraging on mudflats, the Curlew Sandpiper relies on these coastal wetlands to survive its arduous journey between hemispheres. These birds, among others, show how interconnected ecosystems span continents and depend on carefully preserved stopover sites.
In July 2024, we observed these migratory shorebirds at Hadakiya Creek, some still retaining their breeding plumage—a sign that they may be over-summering rather than continuing further north. For over-summering birds, Hadakiya is a vital refuge, offering resources to survive until migration can resume. This makes Hadakiya Creek not only an important wintering ground but also a rare over-summering sanctuary for shorebirds that may otherwise face threats due to unpredictable climate patterns and habitat loss.
Despite its ecological importance, Hadakiya Creek is severely threatened by land reclamation for large-scale salt production. These industrial expansions threaten to reshape the delicate mudflats, mangroves, and tidal creeks, potentially displacing the shorebirds and other wildlife that rely on this habitat. With salt production altering salinity levels and encroaching on mudflat areas, the very foundations of this ecosystem risk being dismantled.
The presence of mangroves plays a particularly vital role in preserving the creek’s network. These mangroves stabilize the soil, reduce erosion, and regulate salinity in the surrounding waters, forming a natural shield that helps protect the extensive mudflats and shallow creeks. This protection ensures the continued availability of feeding grounds and safe resting spots for the shorebirds that depend on this habitat. Without the stabilizing presence of mangroves, the creek’s intricate network of waterways and mudflats would face greater erosion and disruption, making it far less suitable for migratory birds.
Conservation of Hadakiya Creek is paramount, not only for the continued survival of the Bar-tailed Godwit, Curlew Sandpiper, and other migratory species but also for the health of the coastal ecosystems of the Gulf of Kachchh. Preserving Hadakiya means recognizing its role within a global network of migratory routes and understanding that loss here affects biodiversity across borders. A concerted effort is needed to protect this habitat, balancing the needs of development with the irreplaceable ecological value of Hadakiya Creek.
As a crucial site for migratory birds that rely on its resources to survive, Hadakiya Creek must be valued not only as a natural treasure of Gujarat but as a vital link in conserving global biodiversity. By safeguarding this unique ecosystem, we can ensure that remarkable species like the Bar-tailed Godwit and Curlew Sandpiper continue to grace these shores for generations to come.