Researchers studying the migrant shorebirds reaching The Kadalundi sanctuary every year have raised concerns about changes that can shoo away thousands of winged visitors that add charm to the estuarine tourist destination bordering Kozhikode and Malappuram districts.
The devastating floods that the Kadalundipuzha unleashed last month have brought about perceptible changes to the estuary, which hosts birds of various types migrating from different continents to escape the harsh winters in their homelands every year. Sujeesh P.K., who conducts research on the habitat changes and nature of shorebirds arriving at Kadalundi, said a lot of additional silt was deposited in the estuary after the floods, leading to thickening of the mudflats and possible changes in their nature.
Mr. Sujeesh said a detailed study was required to quantify the changes and their effect on the migrant birds at Kadalundi. He said the changes were visible, but should be assessed from an academic and scientific point of view.
Mangroves in the Kadalundi-Vallikkunnu Community Reserve have been showing signs of proliferation. Mangroves were good, but their proliferation beyond certain limits will badly affect the arrival of birds, he said.
Aarif K.M., whose scientific research on the foraging habits of the shorebirds over the past decade brought global attention to this popular wintering destination of birds from Scotland, Mongolia, and Siberia, demanded that authorities take Kadalundi seriously.
Dr. Aarif said the migrant bird population reaching Kadalundi every year was dwindling owing to various reasons. Apart from reasons specific to Kadalundi, including the dumping of waste, climate change and global warming too had their effect, he said. Although the migration season began by the end of August, local people said they witnessed the lowest number of birds in the last few weeks.
Unbridled tourism
Hamza Koya, a fisherman from Kadalundi, said unlike previous years, the initial weeks of the migration season looked quite dull.
“Waste dumping is a major issue here,” he said, echoing the concern persistently being raised by researcher.
