Nature Initiative Kerala

Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is tiger kingdom of the State

E M Manoj, Kalpetta
The Hindu, May 15, 2019

Here tigers roam without fear, and it shows in their numbers.
A monitoring programme of the Forest Department for 2017-18 has found that the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (WWS) , a biodiversity hotspot in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, holds the largest tiger population in the State.
The study was organised in association with the Parambikulam and Periyar Tiger Conservation Foundations.

75 in sanctuary

“Of the total 176 tigers in the State, 75 were identified from the WWS, which is part of a large forest complex holding the single largest population of tigers in India,” B.N. Anjan Kumar, Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife), said of the study.
Nine tigers had also been captured by camera stations set up at the North and South Wayanad forest divisions.

Periyar, Parambikulam

The Periyar and Parambikulam tiger reserves followed suit, where 25 tigers each were captured in camera traps, Mr. Kumar said.
“There are no tigers in the Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary and the adjoining Kottayam and Kothamangalam forest divisions as the landscape is cut off from the adjacent mainland (Munnar and Malayattoor forest divisions). The Kasaragod forest division is highly fragmented and degraded and does not show tiger evidence,” he said. Camera traps, where tigers are identified from photographs based on unique stripe patterns, were used to count the tiger population, Mr. Kumar, who supervised the project, said.
The forest area in the State was divided into 10 landscapes and 1,640 camera traps were set up.
It took nearly a year-and-a-half to complete the project. Close to 500 trained front line forest staff participated in the endeavour.
The Nilambur North and South forest divisions were excluded from the study as camera traps could not be set up in the forests due to Maoist issues. These areas are expected to support a good tiger population.
“Demographic simulation suggests that cubs (below one year) may comprise roughly 25% of a healthy tiger population. However, cubs are not included in the data as they have to reach three years of age (mortality rate of cubs is high). Thus, the forests are home to about 250 individuals that may or may not be part of home ranges within the Kerala forests,” he said.

Potential for reserve

“As the WWS and the adjoining tiger reserves in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu constitute a major tiger habitat in the country, the sanctuary has the potential to get the status of a tiger reserve. Such an initiative needs the support of the public,” says Chief Wildlife Warden Surendra Kumar.
Such a move would help get more funds to effectively implement projects to mitigate man-animal conflict in the area, he said.

GPS survey for elephant sanctuary in Idukki

Giji K Raman, Idukki
The Hindu, 14 May 2019

The Forest Department has completed the Global Positioning System (GPS) survey for setting up the first elephant sanctuary in the State. The survey has covered the Anayirangal and Chinnakanal areas in the Munnar region.
The region has witnessed man-animal conflicts claiming over 30 lives since 2010. The number 301 colony of tribespeople in Chinnakanal, where a farmer was killed by wild elephants on Sunday, will also form part of the sanctuary.
The Chief Wildlife Warden had earlier sought a detailed project report from Munnar Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) on the proposed sanctuary and the wild jumbo related issues in Chinnakanal and Anayirangal.
Over 6 sq km (600 ha) area will form part of the proposed sanctuary covering the areas of Number 301 Colony, Enpathekkar and another Scheduled Tribe Colony, a Forest Department official told The Hindu on Monday.
About 386 ha of land leased out to the Hindustan Newsprint Ltd. by the Forest Department and another 290 ha of forest land would be used for the sanctuary, he said.

Reasons

Habitat disturbance and human intrusion were stated to be the reasons for wild animals entering the residential areas.
When the number 301 Colony was created in 2003 to house the landless tribespeople, there was criticism that it was done without considering the report of the Forest Department which had said that the area formed part of an elephant corridor.
The main areas that came under frequent wild elephants’ attacks were in Anayirangal, Munnar, Chinnakanal, Sinkukandam and number 301 colony.
The Forest Department has estimated that 38 wild elephants are stranded in the area and some of them are causing loss to human life and property.

Otters re-emerge in Kadalundi estuary

Abdul Latheef Naha, Malappuram
The Hindu, May 14, 2019

Otters have re-emerged in the estuarine region of the Kadalundipuzha, giving fresh hope to ecologists focusing on the Kadalundi-Vallikkunnu Community Reserve.
Groups of otters were recently seen in the mudflats and mangroves in the Kadalundi estuary, which is home for thousands of migrant birds flying in from beyond continents during winter.
Ecologists vouch that the presence of otters is an indication of a healthy eco-system. “The presence of otters indicates that the riverine or riparian eco-system is strong. Here in Kadalundi, we can presume that the estuary is highly productive with a good amount of fishes and other aquatic lives,” said M. Nasser, professor of zoology from Calicut University.

Vanishing act

Although there had been otters in the estuary decades ago, the carnivorous aquatic mammals disappeared in recent years for unknown reasons.
T.R. Athira, who studies behavioral patterns of shorebirds reaching Kadalundi, noticed a bevy of otters playing in the mudflats recently. There were juveniles also among them.
“For a researcher, otters are a great sign. Their sighting has emboldened me to delve deeply into the unique ecosystem of mudflats and mangroves at Kadalundi,” said Ms. Athira.
Her guide K.M. Aarif, who had spent about a decade studying the foraging habits of migrant visitors of Kadalundi, said it was good news that otters were breeding in the mangroves of Kadalundi.
“From an ecological point of view, it is a wonderful indicator especially as we had a lot of apprehensions in the aftermath of the devastating floods in August last year,” said Dr. Aarif.
Dr. Nasser said that otters would seek to avoid any kind of interactions with human beings. Fishermen and local people in and around Kadalundi are, however, not excited about the presence of otters. Many of the fishermen in Kadalundi have had a bad date with the mammals with sharp teeth.

‘A nuisance’

“They are a big nuisance for us. Apart from devouring the fish that we catch, they destroy our nets and fishing gears,” said Hamza Koya, a local fisherman at Kadalundikkadavu.
As they breed in dens in mangroves, people living in the vicinity are not happy. “We have been living in fear as there may be wild animals in the mangroves. We have not seen any otter so far,” said Amin Faizal.
However, the fact otters rarely come in contact with human beings is a solace for the local people.

Homebound passerines bid adieu to Ghats

E.M Manoj, Kalpetta
The Hindu, May 13, 2019

It’s mid-May with monsoon just around the corner, and the migrant wildlife in the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is planning to go back home.
Bigger mammals like elephants and gaur will soon be returning to their home turfs in the forests of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Whereas the migratory passerines will bid adieu to the Western Ghats and fly back to their far-away homelands in the Himalayas, South China, North East Europe and Siberia.

In large numbers

“When we talk about migratory birds, quite often the focus is on the large congregation of water fowls including shorebirds, as they are easy to spot and arrive in large numbers. But there are thousands of passerines that arrive from far-off places to the Western Ghats,” C.K. Vishnudas, ornithologist, says.
The State hosts one of the largest tracts of pristine forests of the Western Ghats and is home to a large number of forest birds, Mr. Vishnudas adds. A study led by ornithologist C. Sasikumar recently found that 88 species of avian population in the Western Ghats are annual migrating birds. Passerines form 48 species of these migratory birds — black birds, Orioles, Drongos, Flycatchers and Thrushes. There are also nearly 40 species of waterfowls and waders such as Pipers, Clovers and shanks.
The migration to the Western Ghats occurs usually in August when the monsoon recedes from southwest India. The birds come in hordes and fill the forests.

The tiny brigade

The study also revealed that a few among the species add to the density of avian population in the State’s forests during this phase. The density of Greenish leaf warblers in south Kerala forests is 44 birds per sq km. For migratory bird Blyth’s reed warbler, it is 25 birds per sq km. These birds are so tiny that the average body weight is 8-10 grams.
Yet, the most densely found bird in south Kerala is a native species — the Hill myna that has a count of 50 birds per sq km.
“Most of the migratory forest birds are insectivores and thus play a major role in keeping the insect population in balance. Whatever threat our forests face will thus have an impact on these migratory species,” he adds.

Bat survey in Kerala discovers seven new species

Giji K. Raman, Idukki
The Hindu, May 10 2019

A bat survey conducted in the Munnar Wildlife Division has found seven new species for the first time.
The survey, conducted in two phases in the protected area in April, could spot 20 species belonging to six families including 11 species in general categories. These include 17 insectivorous bats and three fruit bats.
Hipposideros galeritus (Cantor's Leaf-nosed bat), Hipposideros pomona (Anderson's Leaf-nosed bat), Myotis peytoni (Peyton's Whiskered Myotis) and Harpiocephalus harpia (Lesser Hairy-winged bat) were some of the rare bats identified during the survey.
The survey was conducted using advanced bat monitoring and detecting devices, besides traditional methods. Insectivorous bats were identified based on their unique echolocation calls. The devices were installed in various locations inside the Eravikulam, Mathikettan Shola, Anamudi Shola, Pampadum Shola national parks and Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary.
The survey also highlighted the need for long-term monitoring of bats to understand the impact of climate and vegetation changes on bats and other wildlife in Munnar landscape, said Munnar Wildlife Warden R. Lakshmi. This was the first bat survey in Munnar and it underscored the need for protection of the biodiversity, she said.
M.K. Sameer, P.M. Prabhu and S. Sandeep, the assistant wildlife wardens of the Shola, Chinnar and Eravikulam National Parks respectively, supported the survey.
According to Sreehari Raman, who headed the survey team, climate change has been named one of the greatest long-term threats to most species globally. To understand the current status of species that have a restricted distributional range in the mid-high elevation areas of the Western Ghats, regions such as Munnar have to be studied for the long-term conservation of bats and other wild fauna, he said.
Salish Menachery, Rajan Pilakandi, Rajeeve Balakrishnan and Swetha also participated in the survey.

In 4.5 acres, she nurtures a dense forest

The Hindu, May 5, 2019
Sam Paul A, Alappuzha

President Ram Nath Kovind after presenting her the Nari Shakti Puraskar on March 8, 2019, wrote this on one of his social media accounts, “Her contribution towards the environment has been a driving force of change and has raised awareness and consciousness of people.”
At the age of 85, G. Devaki Amma, a native of Puthiyavila in Kandalloor panchayat, near Kayamkulam, is showing the way to safeguard biodiversity and secure our future. She has transformed 4.5 acres of her ancestral property into a thriving forest.
Close to the backwaters, Kollakal Thapovanam, which is intrinsically green, is an ecosystem teeming with life, a fruit of nearly four decades of relentless planting and nurturing by this nature lover.

3,000 trees

At a time when forests are fast disappearing, Devaki Amma’s forest has around 3,000 trees, including over 1,000 trees of common, rare, endangered and biologically important species that support a wide variety of organisms. Huge trees and chirping of birds on them make it a special place in the coastal district.
Devaki Amma says she turned to planting spree following a road accident. “I used to enthusiastically participate in paddy cultivation. But, following the accident I was bedridden for almost three years and was forced to abandon rice cultivation. But it led to something more important. Helped by the family members, I started planting saplings 35 years ago. I never thought at that time the place would become a forest,” she says.
Today, Krishnanal, musk trees, star trees, and mahogany, among others, grow in the sandy soil in natural environment. It is also home to a wide variety of medicinal plants, fruit-bearing trees and tuber crops. The forest has ponds and different species of birds like Paradise Flycatcher and Emerald Doves visit the place.

Family’s backing

Devaki Amma’s age and physical challenges have not deterred her from planting new saplings and taking care of the forest. “I get enormous support from my children, grandchildren and their children in conserving the forest.
They contribute in a big way and want to protect the forest in the best way possible,” she says.
Her daughter D. Thankamoney, former head of Environmental Engineering Division, College of Engineering, Thiruvananthapuram, says planting trees is the best way to reduce carbon footprint and fight climate change. “Our mother started planting trees when nature conservation was yet to gain momentum. We are committed to continuing her legacy,” she says.
The place receives a lot of people, including students and researchers, regularly.

Protect trees at estuary: Greens

The Hindu, May 4, 2019
Alappuzha

Environmentalists and local residents have expressed concern over the government move to cut down a large number of trees close to the Thottappally estuary.
A high-level meeting on Thursday had decided to cut trees immediately by invoking various sections under the Disaster Management Act.
The decision was based on an observation that the trees were impeding water flow from the Kuttanad region.
According to officials, around 500 trees, mostly casuarina trees on a land parallel to the Thottappally spillway, will be felled. The meeting also decided to go ahead with the planned removal of mineral-rich sand from the estuary.
The Irrigation Department will sell the sand to the Indian Rare Earths (IRE)/Kerala Minerals and Metals Ltd. (KMML). Environmentalists alleged that the decision to remove trees and extract mineral sand was interconnected.

Olive Ridley turtles

“Without cutting the trees, they cannot extract sand from the estuary. The move will endanger the ecology of the area. The Thottappally coast is one of the prime locations for egg-laying Olive ridley turtles in the State. It is also home to several species of butterflies and migratory birds,” said, Saji Jayamohan, secretary, Green Roots Nature Conservation Forum.
According to environmentalists large-scale extraction of mineral sand from the area will not help prevent flooding in the Kuttanad region.
“It will result in the intrusion of salt water into Kuttanad. The government should instead deepen the leading channel of the spillway for smooth flow of water, Mr. Jayamohan said.
Sources said that the Forest Department too conveyed its concern to the government over the move to cut down trees. “It is not a forestland. But, we have already made our stand clear at the meeting,” said an official.
Although the meeting decided to invite the expression of interest (EoI) to dredge the downstream and upstream of the spillway along with removing sand deposit from the leading channel at Veeyapuram, the work is unlikely to be carried out before the start of the monsoon season.
The move to remove mineral sand from the estuary comes at a time when local residents are up in arms against the dredging and mineral-sand mining at the Thottappally harbour.
Meanwhile, Irrigation Department officials said that it was imperative to cut down trees and remove sand from the estuary to prevent flooding in Kuttanad.