Kerala declares June 22 as 'Snake Bird Day'

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala government on Monday declared June 22 as the 'snake bird day' as part of a campaign to protect the endangered species.

State minister for forest Thiruvanchur Radhakrishnan formally made the announcement at a function here organised by the Snake Bird Foundation, a city-based outfit of journalists.

The minister assured all government support for the preservation and conservation of snake birds in the state.

Known as darter-Anhinga melanogaster in scientific parlance, snake bird is a large slender long-necked water bird and is mostly black with silver wing markings.

The species, which usually nests atop tall trees near wetlands, is largely found in Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Wayanad and Thiruvananthapuram districts.

As per a recent survey, there are over 1500 snake birds in the country in which majority are in Kerala.

C Rahim, secretary of the Snake Bird Foundation, wanted the government to recognise the species as the official mascot of the famous Nehru Trophy Alappuzha Boat Race as part of creating awareness among people on the importance of preserving the habitat of these birds.

He also said conservation of the birds would naturally ensure the preservation of wetlands.