<img class="styles__noscript__2rw2y" src="https://s.w-x.co/util/image/w/in-migr_0.jpg?v=at&w=485&h=273" srcset="https://s.w-x.co/util/image/w/in-migr_0.jpg?v=at&w=485&h=273 400w, https://s.w-x.co/util/image/w/in-migr_0.jpg?v=ap&w=980&h=551 800w" > Representational image of migratory birds in River Ganga (IANS)

In a shocking episode, more than 1,000 migratory birds were found dead under mysterious circumstances at Rajasthan's Sambhar Salt Lake on Monday, November 11.

Located near Phulera in Jaipur, Sambhar Lake witnesses a vast number of winged visitors during the winter season. Tourists and ornithologists from across the world regularly visit the region as it plays host to various migratory species of birds including the Northern Shoveler, Green Bee-Eater, Cinnamon Teal coming from Siberia, north Asia and other places. As the winter season progresses, the forest department is running against time to identify and address the cause of such mass deaths.

While the carcasses were immediately buried, officials have sent samples of the birds' visceral remains to the forensic science laboratory in Bhopal. Experts say no signs of bird flu were observed till now, and the likely contamination of water could be the trigger. Further examination of birds' internal organs could help pinpoint the cause of death.

The death of these birds came to fore when a few ornithologists went to Sambhar Lake for photography on Sunday and were taken aback to see the dead birds across the lake. Veterinarians suspect water contamination or algae poisoning to be the primary reason behind the deaths, reports The Times of India.

<img class="styles__noscript__2rw2y" src="https://s.w-x.co/util/image/w/in-sambhar_lake.jpg?v=at&w=485&h=273" srcset="https://s.w-x.co/util/image/w/in-sambhar_lake.jpg?v=at&w=485&h=273 400w, https://s.w-x.co/util/image/w/in-sambhar_lake.jpg?v=ap&w=980&h=551 800w" > Sambhar Salt Lake, Rajasthan (Credits: Bhagirath/BCCL Jaipur)

While officials claim that the death toll is 1,500, the locals claim that the number of dead birds could be around 5,000. The dead bodies were found around a section of the Sambhar Salt Lake named Ratan Talab. Different species of waders and ducks, including the likes of pallas' gull, ruddy shelduck, ruddy turnstone, gull-billed tern, redshanks, black-winged stilts, common coots, plovers, avocets, shovelers and sandpipers, were among the waterbirds whose dead bodies were found at the lake.

The officials buried the bird carcasses in a ditch. While a total of 669 dead birds were buried, many others were left unattended as it was difficult for the forest department personnel to go into the slippery muddy areas to retrieve their carcasses.

The incident of mysterious bird deaths is a second in Rajasthan within a week. Thirty-seven Demoiselle cranes were found dead in Vijay Sagar Lake in the Alwar district of Rajasthan on last Thursday. However, no link has been found in the two mass-death incidents, as the cranes supposedly died after eating poisoned grain. Officials have sent their viscera too for investigation.

The Sambhar Salt Lake is India's largest inland saltwater lake. Located in Jaipur district of Rajasthan, it spreads across 190 to 230 square kilometres.

The lake has always attracted a host of migratory birds that travel tens of thousands of kilometres, typically to escape harsh winter conditions. However, the developmental activities around Sambhar in recent years, including the extension of salt pan operations, new settlements and changes in the weather, have reportedly decreased the number of birds flocking to the lake.

(with inputs from IANS)