Fall in number of water birds in Vembanad Lake: Survey

KOTTAYAM: There has been a fall in the number of water birds in the Vembanad Lake region mainly owing to the ecological imbalance caused due to deforestation and encroachments in the region.

In a two-day survey jointly conducted by the forest department and the Kottayam Nature Society, it was found that the number has reduced to 26,196 from 30,779 last year.

"The most-affected was Kaippuzha Muttu region where the number has come down to a staggering 905 from 10, 504 last year," said Dr Sreekumar B, co-ordinator of the Waterbird Count. The survey organized by the Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS) in Kumarakom concluded on Sunday.

Among the major findings of the survey include the spotting of two monarch flycatchers in Pathiramanal Island. Pathiramanal region also showed a doubling in the number of birds in the last two years, he said.

More than 110 bird lovers along with forest department officers, who were divided into several groups, did the bird count. The survey also found out that birds, especially migrant ducks have deserted Kaippuzha muttu area. Meanwhile, the number of birds along one stretch of paddy fields in Kumarakom has shown a remarkable increase as it was uncultivated. Most abundant bird species spotted in the survey were lesser whistling teals followed by little cormorants.

The number of resident birds also showed an increase. It was 7,618 in 2012 while it rose to 10,114 this year.

However, there was a reduction in the number of bird species seen. It came down to 55 from last year's 64. The cormorant family has increased from 2,081 in 2012 to 4,903 in 2013. There was not much difference for herons and egrets, 4,853 in 2012 and 4,845 this year.

Ducks and teals which used to be a common sight in the region also decreased from 19,164 in 2012 to 12,079. This may be due to increased paddy cultivation at the count sites, said Sreekumar. The number of birds of prey decreased from 143 in 2012 to 119. Terns and gulls have increased from 1,211 in 2012 to 1,575 in 2013. Waders and shore birds have decreased from 1,195 in 2012 to 736.