Kadalundi community reserve gearing up for seasonal exploration

The Forest Department, joining hands with the Kadalundy-Vallikkunnu Community Reserve Committee, is planning to extend more support for the researchers and visitors who want to explore the treasures of nature at the Kadalundi community reserve in the wake of the mass migration of foreign birds to the spot. For popularising the location among tourists, one-day nature camps, field visits to mangrove fields and birds watching programme will be organised for visitors during this season.

According to officials with the Forest department, the mass migration of foreign birds will shortly begin in the region and it will be a golden opportunity for visitors to enjoy the charm of the spot. The one-day trip, covering all the important locations within the community reserve with expert guides, will be offered at free of cost to the visitors under the aegis of the forest department and the community reserve committee members.

“For tourists, we are planning to offer a special one-day trip across the reserve- beginning from 8 a.m. - to people who book their names early,” says Anil Marath, chairman of the committee. We will also offer them the support of a five-member resource group to explain the specialty of each destination they pass through, he adds.

With the diminishing of monsoon season, the number of visitors is now witnessing an increase at the reserve. Presently, school children and teachers are the majority groups who make use of the location for their environment studies. The inflow of foreigners, guided by the District Tourism Promotion Council, is also expected to increase with the mass migration of birds. According to officials, around 135 varieties of birds are visible at the reserve during the season of mass migration.

As part of introducing more protective measures to the location spread across around 150 hectares, the Department of Forest has already submitted a special proposal to the State government. It suggests the government to sanction a fund of Rs.5 lakh for proceeding ahead with the activities.

Divisional Forest Officer Joseph Thomas says that the Government is likely to sanction the demanded fund this year itself to carry out the development activities under the aegis of a Conservation Management Agency. The plan of the department is to undertake participatory development programme in the region with the active participation of local people in the region, he adds.