The Hindu : Call to protect wetlands, migratory birds

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, May 02, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Kerala-Thiruvananthapuram

Call to protect wetlands, migratory birds

By G. Hari Sundar

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM May 1. The need for protecting the 1,200 acres of wetland at Polachira, Kandachira and Karali in Kollam and those in Thiruvananthapuram, the main destination for migratory birds, has been stressed in the 17th Asian Waterfowl Census carried out by a group of bird-watchers in January and February this year.

The 17th consecutive census, carried out by the city-based Warblers & Waders with the help of the Mumbai Natural History Society and the Wetlands International, Malaysia, to monitor the status of waterbirds, had recorded 26,195 belonging to 37 species at Polachira while the lowest count was 402 birds belonging to 33 species at Akkulam.

Northern Pintail, popularly called `Soochivaalan eranda', a migratory fowl from North Asia, and Cotton teal (Paccha eranda) were the ones found in abundance.

A total of 1,830 birds belonging to 45 species and 954 birds belonging to 36 species were sighted at Punchakkari and Karali wetlands respectively.

As many as 60 Oriental darters, which have been listed as red data birds, were sighted at Karali and 22 at Akkulam, highest record over the past 17 years. As many as 32,475 waterbirds belonging to 65 species were sighted during the course of the waterfowl census this year.

Though several species were identified at the wetlands, the study team found out that the wetlands of Thiruvananthapuram, Akkulam and Punchakkari those at Polachira, Kandachira, Ashtamudi and Karali continue to be a threat to migratory birds due to various reasons. While the Akkulam lake has been polluted and habitat being upset as a result of the flora and fauna destruction in the name of development activities carried out by the District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC), filling of the Punchakkari and Vellayani agricultural lands prevented the arrival of migratory birds.

A large number of birds were sighted at Polachira as a result of the biodiversity and abundance of fishes and mussels. But the biodiversity is under threat due to atmospheric pollution caused by crusher units. The sound of the crusher units and the huge amount of dust are listed as reasons for the destruction of the wetland.

Though several rare birds such as the Spotbilled pelicans, Oriental darter, Grey Heron, White Ibis and Openbill stork were sighted during the survey carried out in the previous years, reclamation and poaching have been cited as the reasons for the lesser number of birds during the census this year. At the same time, sand-mining and the presence of brick factories were pointed out as the reasons for the lesser number of birds at Karali marshes.

The study team has also urged the Forest Department to take steps for the installation of boards stating the importance of migratory birds in Polachira, Vellayani, Akkulam and similar areas. Pamphlets should be distributed among the locals and tourists to create awareness against poaching. Steps should also be taken to prevent those activities causing hindrance for migratory birds.

Despite the study conducted on migratory birds every year, details about them are unknown to researchers. Steps should be taken by the Forest Department to retain Polachira as a waterfowl sanctuary and also to set up a research centre and library at Ithikara for the benefit of researchers.

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Call to protect wetlands, migratory birds