Nilgiri tahr population in new pockets

K.S. Sudhi, KOCHI,  
The Hindu, September 4, 2015

Nilgiri tahr populations have been recorded from 17 hitherto unrecorded pockets across Kerala and Tamil Nadu, according to a non-governmental organisation. This is the only species of mountain ungulates that exists in southern India.

It was during a four-year-long survey, organised by the WWF and forest officials, that its presence in new and small pockets was identified. The mountain goats, endemic to the Western Ghats regions of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, numbering 131 individuals, were counted, according to the WWF.

In Kerala, the populations were confirmed at nine locations, including Pathrakadavu, Atumudi, Koomban, Madumudi, and Chokramudi. The eight locations in Tamil Nadu included Nagamalai, Marakkal Malai, and Vasakku Malai.

The total population of the species in the region was estimated at 3,122. The single largest population of the species is in the Eravikulam National Park in Kerala. Though many unknown populations were believed to exist in small pockets throughout its range, they had not been surveyed due to the rugged and inaccessible terrain. Inclement weather also limited the understanding of the status and the distribution of the tahr across its range, according to the report.

The population status and distribution of the tahr across its entire distribution range were observed for four years from 2008The population of the species is believed to be declining due to “uncontrolled hunting, conflict with livestock grazing, and habitat loss,” according to the report, which will be released shortly.

The field surveys were carried out by Paul Peter Predit and Varun Prasath.

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Bird survey bares issues of concern

Ignatius Pereira
KOLLAM,  
The Hindu, February 1, 2015 

The annual Asian Waterfowl Census (AWC) held in six select wetlands last Saturday in Kollam has revealed matters of concern and elation for birdwatchers.

While the waterbird population was a cause for excitement, questions have been raised about the conservation of the traditional wetland habitats of such birds.

The census was carried out in association with the WWF-India and the Social Forestry Division of the Forest Department.

The wetlands covered are Kandachira - Sakthikulangara harbour, Pallikkodi -Neendakara harbour, Thodiyur - Vattakkayal - Vellanathuruthu, Chittumala - Karali marshes, Polachira, and Kappil beach. The highest count was from Polachira, near Chathannur, from where around 3,500 birds were counted. Among them were five types of wild ducks, namely lesser whistling ducks, pigmy cotton goose, garganey ducks, spot billed ducks, and northern pintails, the latter three being migratory. The Neendakara harbour and Pallikkodi wetlands stood second with a count of around 1,500 birds, of which the majority were little egrets. Migratory birds such as painted stork, greater sand plover, lesser sand plover, grey plover, green shank, green sandpiper, brown headed gulls, and whiskered terns were sighted at Thodiyur - Vattakkayal and on the Vellanathuruthu beach.

Though Kandachira is a habitat for a number of black-tailed godwits, this year only one bird was sighted. But plenty of other migratory birds were observed there. The count of swimming birds preferring deeper waters such as ducks and cormorants was high. But the count at the Karali marshes, once a haven for water birds, was a disappointment. The wetlands, which used to shelter more than 5,000 purple swamphens, is now home to only few. What used to be a shallow wetland is now a deep lake due to sand-mining. The Polachira wetlands seem comparatively less disturbed.

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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.

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