October is the month when migratory birds flock the picturesque Pulicat Lake in a big way before returning to their homelands.
It is not so this year in view of the prolonged dryspell, disappointing bird lovers who make it to the lake with great hopes to enjoy the scenic beauty of a large number of migratory birds thronging the second largest brackish-water ecosystem in the country.
Thanks to climate change, last year also Sulurpeta and its surrounding areas did not get copious rains during the southwest monsoon, delaying the arrival of among other birds, flamingos, storks and pelicans, which usually visit the lake from September.
“We hope that the northeast monsoon brings bountiful rains to these parts later this year,” said a group of fishermen busy trying to find some catch in the fast depleting lake. At least a foot of water spread should be there in the 300 sq km water body for flamingos to feel comfortable, they say.
It was during 2016 when the Vardah cyclone struck the coast, migratory birds came in tens of thousands. The drought in the previous two years saw lesser arrival of the avians.
Flamingos from Rann of Kutch find the Pulicat ecosystem with saline water spread most ideal for catching prey.
Pulicat lake used to be safe haven when both southwest and northeast monsoons brought copious rains helping growth of vegetation.
Meanwhile, the Forest Department, which runs the bird sanctuary, has planned to set up artificial perches for the avians at a cost of ₹20 lakh for them to feel comfortable.
The artificial perches will aid growth of vegetation and enable visitors enjoy the beauty of the avians feeding the younger ones, says Sullurpeta Division Forest Officer (Wildlife Division) Ravindranath Reddy.
Last year too, only a few thousands of migratory birds arrived at the Pulicat Lake in October. But the winter migratory birds came in tens of thousands in December after the northwest monsoon brought bountiful rains, especially in the catchment areas feeding Swarnamukhi and Kalangi rivers, Mr. Reddy told The Hindu .
