The WWF-India and the Social Forestry Wing of the Forest Department have started data collection and monitoring of heronries in Thiruvananthapuram district under the Green partnership programme.
Heronries are communal nesting places of large water birds such as Indian Pond Heron, Great Egret, Median Egret, Little Egret , Cattle Egret, Grey Heron, Purple Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron, Great Cormorant, Indian Shag, Little Cormorant , Oriental Darter, Black Headed Ibis. Usually they build nests on tall trees and reed beds near paddy fields.
Kerala has about 15 species of water birds. Protection of heronries is important for the conservation and management of these species, many of which are an integral part of our agricultural and wetland ecosystem, according to State Director, WWF-India, Renjan Mathew Varghese.
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Documentation of these heronries, information on the species breeding and knowledge of the current status of heronries are the first basic steps in the direction of chalking out a conservation strategy regarding these birds.
The WWF-India has requested nature enthusiasts and bird watchers to extend support for the survey. The public has been asked to provide details of any heronry near their home, workplace or the one spotted during travel to A.K. Sivakumar on mobile 9447386978 or e-mail (wwfklso@gmail.com).