Osai, a non-governmental organisation involved in nature conservation, has petitioned the District Collector seeking immediate halting of removal of native karuvelam trees (Acacia nilotica) mistaking them to be seemai karuvelam (proposis juliflora).
Copies of the representation seeking halting of removal of native species of karuvelam in Vedapatti new tank and Kolarampathy tank have been given to the District Forest Officer, Revenue Divisional Officer and Public Works Department seeking their attention.
Removal of such a species especially at a time when climate change has resulted in failure of monsoons raises serious concern.
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Focus should be on increasing the green cover, rather than axing down 30-year-old native karuvelam species leaving a lasting impact on the ecology, says K. Kalidasan, President of Osai.
Acacia nilotica in water bodies is a sought after one by winged visitors.
If the trees are removed, it would leave the avian species in the lurch.
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To name a few, Pin Tailed Duck, Norther Shoveler, Garganey, Little Stint, Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Little Ringed Plover, Common Teal, Spot Billed Duck, Spot Billed Pelican, Painted Stork, Eursaian Spoon Bill, Red Naped Ibis, Darter, Coomon Coot, Asian Open Bill Stork, White Necked Stork, Lesser Whistling Duck are those directly dependent on the Acacia nilotica trees.
Similarly, birds belonging to the Swimmers and Drivers, Leaf Walkers, Waders and Bush Birds are also indirectly dependent on these water bodies.
Excreta of the birds provide the much needed nitrate and phospate for the sand in the water bodies.
While desilting or removing proposis juliflora from water bodies, Mr. Kalidasan wanted the officials to adhere to the standard operating procedures or protocols in consultation with experts from Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Nature (SACON) so that no further damage is done to water bodies and there has to be a immediate ban on removal of Acacia nilotica and proposis juliflora identified by experts alone should be removed.
Osai also demanded that Sulur big tank, small tank, Singanallur tank, Perur Puttuvikki tank, Vedapatti new tank, Nagarajapuram tank, Kolarampathy tank and Vellalore tanks be declared as eight conservation reserves as 80 % of the winged visitors throng these tanks.
In addition, Mr. Kalidasan also said that along with Forest Department, the NGO was planning to propose to the Government for declaration of Perur Puttuvikki, Singanallur, Vellalore, Kolarampathy and Vedapatti new tank as bird sanctuaries.