Migratory birds suffer

Nagapattinam, Oct. 18: Delayed north-east monsoon rains and the reluctance of a private corporate chemical unit to supply minimum quantity of water, in violation of its original lease agreement, to protect the birds in the area, is threatening to make Point Calimere, one of the most important sanctuaries for migratory birds in the country, a disaster zone.

The sanctuary, the only Ramsar site in the state, has a unique mix of grasslands, mudflats, backwaters, sand dunes and tropical evergreen dry forest. The sanctuary, which attracts over five lakh migratory birds from the Arctic region, Mongolia, Caspian Sea, Mediterranean Sea and the Australian coast, has been receiving fewer birds in recent years, noted bird lover V. Ganapathy of Tiruchy said.

Thousands of early flocks of little stint, sandpipers, ducks, etc., which reached the salt reservoirs last month after an exhaustive six-week journey spanning thousands of kilometers, were forced to proceed to the little water pools near Seruthulaikadu island. And a few thousand painted storks also reached the spot. But absence of rains and lack of water have resulted in the birds migrating to some other parts, he added.

Sensing the problem, by the middle of September this year, the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) and the wildlife warden of Nagapattinam had sent an appeal to the salt company to pump in water and maintain just six inches of water for the birds’ sake.

As per the lease agreement, the company was supposed to release a minimum amount of water for the birds during the migration season (September–January). But the agreement has not been adhered to, he emphasised.

Bird lovers feel that the Central and state governments could take back the small portion of land leased out to the company decades ago and ensure that the place is provided adequate water for the birds.