Decline in bird numbers at sanctuary

It has been reported that the number of bird species found in the sanctuary has been reduced to nearly half in less than seven years.

The number of avian species in Mangalavanam, an eco-reserve in the heart ofKochi, is dwindling.Photo: H.Vibhu

Human interferences may be contributing to the dwindling number of birds arriving at Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary (MBS), said Forest Department officials.

It has been reported that the number of bird species found in the sanctuary has been reduced to nearly half in less than seven years. A study carried out by P.S. Easa and E.A. Jayson of the Kerala Forest Research Institute, Thrissur, in 1999, had recorded the presence of 72 species of birds from MBS.

The number of avian species depending on the sanctuary fell to 62 in 2002. It further plummeted to 32 in a study held in 2006, indicating that the number of bird species had decreased as a result of a variety of biotic interferences, according to the Department. It was mostly wetland birds that were visiting the sanctuary.

However, a considerable number of migratory avian species visit MBS seasonally. It is also a nesting site for other avian colonial nesters.