Karnataka - Mysore   

Winged visitors flock to Mysore

Sharath S. Srivatsa

WELCOME VISITOR: A pelican at a lake in Mysore

MYSORE: The number of Grey or Spotbilled Pelican in the water bodies of Mysore city has increased during this season bringing cheers among bird watchers.

The first pelican in Mysore was sighted at Kukkarahalli Lake during 1992 when the numbers at Kokkarebellur Pelicanry in Mandya district, near here, showed a decline.

Following years of drought and lack f sufficient quantity of fish in the lakes in and around Mysore, the pelican numbers dwindled between 1997 and 2003.The work on the revival of the water bodies is cited as another reason for the decline during the same period when the birds did not arrive here for breeding.

Between 12 and 20 active nests have been identified in Kukkarahalli Lake, while there are around 22 active nests in Karanji Lake. Both the lakes have witnessed a flurry of activity following good rainfall last year. Pelicans have also been found in Mandakalli Lake and Dadadahalli lake, near here. However, the birds have not arrived in Lingambudhi lake in the city for the last two years.

Found extensively on the eastern coast of India, the population of Grey or Spotbilled Pelicans (Pelecanus philippensis) have been identified from Jaffna in Sri Lanka up to Mynmar and Cambodia. Approximately around 12,000 Grey or Spotbilled Pelicans are found around the globe, and organisations such as the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, Bird Life International and International Bird Conservation Network have placed this bird on the list of threatened species.

Monitoring

According to Manu of Mysore Amateur Naturalists, birdwatchers have been monitoring the numbers of pelicans around Mysore. The monitoring activity has been taken up with the assistance of local fishermen.

The increase in the number of pelicans has also resulted in an increase in the foraging area for the pelicans from Kokkarebellur. The foraging area for the birds in Kokkarebellur has increased from 35 km, has increased to around 120 km.

Deforestation and the rift between the Forest Department officials and the villagers had led to the partial loss of habitat forcing these birds to migrate to other places for nesting and breeding.

Mr. Manu said that the intervention of non-governmental organisations and assistance from local farmers had helped in protecting the habitat for pelicans in Kokkarebellur. Their numbers have increased from around 180 breeding pairs in 1995 to around 400 breeding pairs during 2005-2006.

The availability of fish in abundance at the now-revived Karanji lake may provide an ideal nesting ground for the pelicans. The lake, according to him, in future could witness the arrival of a good number of birds and the emergence of pelican colonies.

However, the same may not be true with Kukkarahalli lake. According to Mr. Manu, the habitat of pelicans is on a small island, which may not allow for the formation of colonies. Further, the trees on which these birds breed may also not survive for long.

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