The Hindu, January 30, 2015
Fears of recurrence of avian influenza epidemic have
pushed the Forest Department to keep a tab on migratory birds that
winter in Kerala.
Though the epidemic, first reported
among domestic poultry in Alappuzha and Kottayam districts, had been
contained, it was again reported at the government-run turkey farm in
Kollam last week. Experts confirmed that the birds had died of H5N1 at
the Kollam farm.
While fresh outbreak of the disease
led to the death of 1,781 turkey birds at the farm, authorities culled
6,475 birds in an attempt to curb the spread of the disease among the
local bird population. Around 2,000 other birds were culled outside the
farm.
Veterinarians will collect droppings of
migratory birds from the two nearby wetlands on Friday for scientific
analysis, according to O.P. Kaler, Additional Principal Chief
Conservator of Forest (Biodiversity Cell).
Amit
Mallick, State nodal officer, Avian Influenza Programme, said the
monitoring of wetlands would be made part of the regular activity of the
department with the formulation of the plan. Though a large number of
migratory birds visit Kerala annually, they are not scientifically
tracked. Precious little is known about their flyways and the areas
where they spend time, Mr. Mallick said.
The department has approached birders and ornithologists seeking suggestions for formulating the surveillance plan.
Possibility of outbreak
The
wetlands and wilderness areas of the State are among the preferred
destinations of migratory birds. The possibility of outbreak of the
epidemic among wild birds, especially waterfowls, cannot be ruled out, a
communication from the department said.
An avian
expert pointed out that the wetlands birds are monitored just once a
year as part of the Asian Waterbird Census. There is no regular
mechanism to keep track of these birds, he said.
A
few birds shall be ringed or even radio-tracked as in the case of Amur
falcons, which would help in effectively tracking their flyways.
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