Signalling the early commencement of annual breeding season, thousands of spot-billed pelicans or grey pelicans have arrived the India’s largest freshwater lake, Kolleru, that spreads in Krishna and West Godavari districts. The grey pelicans and painted storks normally begin the breeding during winter.
“An estimated half lakh grey pelicans have already arrived the Kolleru lake’s Atapaka birds’ sanctuary.
We are expecting more to arrive the lake in the coming weeks,” V. Saibaba, Divisional Forest Officer (wildlife), Eluru, told The Hindu.
Mr. Saibaba has said that abundant water in the core area of the sanctuary is one of the prime reasons to attract more migratory birds.
Many of the grey pelicans, which are now engaged in arranging nests at the sanctuary, did not return to Siberia last year.
According to the wildlife authorities, repairing of iron bunds on which migratory birds prefer to put up nests will be completed in a week in the sanctuary, ensuring safety for the winged guests.
The wildlife authorities are chalking out a plan to develop an artificial pond at Munuguluru area in the Kolleru lake near Kaikaluru town, enabling the migratory birds to choose it for breeding.
Artificial pond
“The plan to develop an artificial pond is at the initial stage. Storing huge quantity of water in the artificial pond will attract more migratory birds in future,” says Mr. Saibaba.
Local communities
The officials have roped in local communities to avoid poaching of the migratory birds which prefer to go outside the sanctuary for prey.
Painted stork, another migratory bird, is likely to arrive soon at the sanctuary for annual sojourn.
However, the Atapaka sanctuary is known as Pelican Paradise and is equipped with boating facility, enabling the bird lovers to have a glimpse of life of the winged visitors from close distance.
