Highest number of waterbirds recorded at Vembanad

TheHindu. January 20, 2015 
KOTTAYAM,  

The Vembanad Waterbird Count 2015, taken up by the Department of Forests and Wildlife and Kottayam Nature Society, has recorded highest number of wetland and wetland dependent birds ever recorded.

According to B. Sreekumar, coordinator, 57,828 birds have been sighted from the 10 sites surveyed. They belonged to 54 families, Dr Sreekumar said. This healthy development is, however, dependent on the huge number of ducks counted at Kaipuzhamuttu areas. The area has recorded 31,232 Northern Pintail ducks and 16,501 Lesser Whistling Ducks. It has also recorded the highest number of bird species at 34.

In fact, Kaipuzhamuttu areas has recorded a steady increase in the bird population, except in 2013, during the past five years. Bird species such as Oriental Darter and Black Headed Ibis were listed as ‘near threatened’ while the Greater Spotted Eagle was listed as ‘vulnerable’ as per the IUCN Red List, Dr Sreekumar said.

What was of concern was the fact that while Kaipuzhamuttu area registered the highest number of birds, the KTDC held Kumarakom Tourist complex area, which once boasted itself as one of the finest bird sanctuaries, had a lesser count at 182. Pathiramanal, another tourism spot, recorded the second lowest bird population at 507 while it also had the lowest number of bird species at 15. Dr. Sreekumar called for regular monitoring of the area especially during the migration season when thousands of birds descended on the paddy fields. He also called for introducing incentives for informants on poaching.

The bird count initiative had formally commenced on Saturday evening when 150 participants joined the base camp organised at the Regional Agriculture Research Station, Kumarakom. The actual survey was conducted from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Sunday morning in area that commences from Thollayiram Kayal near RARS to Nedumudy-Bhoothapandy area close to Alappuzha-Changanassery State Highway.

This year’s Vembanad conservation Award was presented to K. Binu, member, tree authority committee.