Come summer and the backwaters of the Alamatti dam turn into a home for numerous migratory birds.
These magnificent birds, come in thousands to nest here. Bird lovers and ornithologists are drawn here and spend hours capturing their movements with their cameras.
The birds, which are protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, have been visiting the backwaters for the last few years to nest, according to Regional Forest Officer Srikant Kanadal.
The official says efforts are being made to protect these splendid birds from poachers. Some of the birds that nest here are Black-headed Ibis, Painted Stork, Grey Heron and Lesser Flamingo.
“I spotted these birds till 2009, but for some reason they stopped coming. However, this year, they have arrived again in thousands,” he told The Hindu .
Mr. Kanadal said that the Forest Department has already identified some 100 species of birds in and around the Alamatti reservoir. Several of them are migratory birds coming from places such as Rajasthan.
He said the government should declare the area a bird sanctuary in order to provide protection to these birds, and also serve as a platform for bird lovers to study them.
Mr. Kanadal said that this would also lead to more tourists coming to Alamatti dam.
“Many local people, unaware of the importance of these birds, try to catch them to eat them or sell them. If the place is converted into a sanctuary, they will understand the importance of it,” he said.
