A project is on to document various species of birds and create awareness on their importance in the eco system, and the need to raise public awareness.
The presence of certain birds indicate that the environment is healthy and thriving, ornothologists say.
Asian Koel, the State bird of Puducherry is a resident bird on the campus. In addition, birds like Grey Francolin, White-breasted Kingfisher, Common Myna Red vented Bulbul are also residents. In addition, the Orange Throated Barbet, Indian Hoopoe are migratory visitors to Puducherry.
Recently, while addressing the World Endemic Bird Day hosted by the Students’ Council of the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Veterinary Education and Research (RIVER) here, Prof. S. Ramkumar, Dean, RIVER, emphasised the need to create awareness on the importance of birds among the students and the public.
He said that Puducherry had a great potential to offer to the tourists, bird watchers and students.
RIVER campus open
RIVER will be happy to open its campus at specific times for bird watchers and nature enthusiasts and will be able to spare the guidance of experts on this. The institute campus has more than 65 species which were documented by a study led by Prof. D. Sreekumar and team over a period of 10 years. The study was also published in Zoos Print.
The campus with its preserved rich greenery is a preferred home for a variety of birds. Nature lovers enjoy birdwatching in this campus. The rehabilitation work, initiated by the Government, taken up in watertanks and lakes recently has helped in bringing back the birds to their environment, Mr. Ramkumar said.
The Oussudu Lake located close to the campus provides a pristine habitat to many water birds including herons, egrets, jacana and water hen besides migratory birds like Spot-billed Pelicans, Painted Storks and Flamingoes, he added.
Ravikumar, Project Co-ordinator, SPCA, Kodaikanal, and Azharudeen, Education Programme Co-ordinator, Wildlife Nature and Conservation Trust (WNCT), emphasised the role played by the birds like their link to the food chain at the top and bottom.
Birds play an important role in the food chain vital for the existence of flora and fauna. Endangering of birds will be harmful to the ecosystem affecting humans, animals and plants. They also play a significant role as ‘indicator species’ of health of a particular environment, he said.
