Bird survey points to rise in temperature in Pathanamthitta

The Hindu, January 21, 2015
PATHANAMTHITTA

The sighting of a bluethroat, a flock of glossy ibis, and a dozen Asian openbill in Pathanamthitta during the Asian Waterbird Survey of the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF) is indicative of the increasing atmospheric temperature in the region. These birds are normally found in dry wetlands with high atmospheric temperature.

The survey was conducted jointly by the WWF-India, Kerala chapter and the Social Forestry wing of the Forests and Wildlife Department at five locations — Thonnallur, near Pandalam; Karingalipuncha; Aranmula-Nalkalikkal wetlands; Pampa river at Aranmula; and Othera-Thiruvamanapuram wetlands — on Saturday, A.K. Sivakumar, project coordinator, said.

The survey found the Aranmula wetlands, which come under the disputed private airport project site, a very good waterbird habitat with more than 1,000 birds belongs to 22 species.

The maximum count was from Karingalipuncha with around 1,200 birds belongs to 33 species. The birders counted nearly 800 birds belonging to 39 species in the Thonnallur fields.

Mr. Sivakumar said around 600 birds were counted in the Othera-Thiruvamanapuram wetlands. Migratory birds such as common sandpiper, little-ringed plover, Pacific golden plover, green sandpiper, whiskered tern, glossy ibis, and black-winged stilts were reported from these areas.

River degradation

The sighting of an increased number of black kites in the Pampa at Aranmula indicated increased pollution owing to dumping of poultry waste. The sighting of whiskered terns, generally found in stagnant waters such as paddy fields, was also reported from the river, indicating the degradation of its ecosystem.

The census revealed a steady total bird count in the district. It highlighted the need to protect the wetlands for the existence of these birds and thereby, the agricultural sector and sustainable socio-economic status, he Mr. Sivakumar said.