The midwinter Tamirabharani Waterbird Count (TWC) in select waterbodies of Tirunelveli and Tuticorin districts for the fifth successive year commenced on Sunday. Along with volunteers, Forest Department personnel and experts are involved in the exercise, which will conclude on Monday.
Agasthyamalai Community-based Conservation Centre (ACCC), Manimuthar, and Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and Environment (ATREE), Bangalore, have joined hands with the Department of Forest, Pearl City Nature Society (PCNS), Tuticorin, and Nellai Nature Club (NNC) to conduct the waterbird count this year.
The perennial Tamirabharani feeds a larger network of irrigation tanks in both the districts.
The Tamirabharani wetlands support over 90 species of waterbirds, including migratory birds.
There are important bird habitats such as Koonthankulam, Tirupudaimaruthur and Vagaikulam in Tirunelveli district and tanks in Srivaikundam region of Tuticorin district that attract a large number of birds. Birdwatchers get to see various birds in these places.
“With an increasing demand for water for both developmental needs and human use, these wetlands are threatened. The communities living around the wetlands should guard their precious natural resources against such changes for the benefit of both the people and the biodiversity. The TWC is an effort to draw the attention of the local people to these wetlands,” said Mathivanan, Field Coordinator, ACCC, who is involved in the waterbird count around Srivaikundam.
Over 67,000 birds were counted during the TWC last year with help of volunteers in 53 irrigation tanks. “The number will increase this time, as most of the waterbodies in these two districts are brimming with water,” he said.
Mr Mathivanan said the uncontrolled growth of water hyacinth in several tanks had diverted ducks to other tanks as this invasive plant would hinder the birds’ swimming. A few flamingos were sighted at Rajavallipuram tank during the census.
“The findings of the survey may be ready by Wednesday,” he said.
