Here is good news for the bird watchers and nature lovers in Tirunelveli and Tuticorin districts as the midwinter Tamirabharani Waterbird Count (TWC) will be held for the 5th successive year between January 24 and 26.
Agasthyamalai Community-based Conservation Centre (ACCC), Manimuthar and Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), Bangalore, have joined hands with Department of Forest, Pearl City Nature Society (PCNS), Tuticorin and Nellai Nature Club (NNC) to conduct the TWC this year.
A statement from ACCC said the perennial Tamirabharani and the centuries-old irrigation system associated with it has made Tirunelveli and Tuticorin districts the ‘rice bowl’ of Southern Tamil Nadu and an important ‘bird area’ of the country. The forests in the hills that capture the monsoon rains and release the water into the streams and rivers like the Tamirabharani feed a larger network of irrigation tanks in both the districts.
The Tamirabharani wetlands support over 90 species of water birds and many of them are migratory species. There are important bird habitats such as Koonthankulam, Thirupudaimaruthur and Vagaikulam in Tirunelveli districts and tanks in Srivaikundam region of Tuticorin district attracting a large number of birds. It is a visual treat to bird watchers.
“These birds play an important role in protecting the ecosystem and the farmers receive enormous benefits from them. Unfortunately, many of the wetlands are threatened by encroachment, pollution and urbanisation and there is no concern for local biodiversity found in these places. With increasing demand for water for both developmental needs and domestic use, these wetlands are further threatened. The local communities around the wetlands should guard their precious natural resources against such changes for the benefit of both people and biodiversity. The TWC is an effort to bring these wetlands to the attention of the local residents,” said Mathivanan, Field Coordinator, ACCC.
Over 67,000 birds were counted during 2014 TWC with the help of volunteers in 53 irrigation tanks. Volunteers are invited to participate in the TWC 2015 and interested persons may contact Mr. Mathivanan, Field Coordinator, Agasthyamalai Community-based Conservation Centre(ACCC), Manimuthar at 94880 63750 or through email awc_accc@atree.org before January 21, the statement said.
