Over 24,000 birds from 66 species recorded during Tamirabharani Waterbird Count

Over 24,000 birds from 66 species recorded during Tamirabharani Waterbird Count

Subject: Environment

Section: Protected Areas

Context:

• The Tamirabharani Waterbird Count 2024 organised recently has recorded over 24,000 birds in the irrigation tanks getting water from the perennial river.

Details:

•  World Wildlife Day on March 3.
• ATREE’s Agasthyamalai Community Conservation Centre (ACCC) initiated the citizen-centric bird monitoring program, the Tamirabharani Waterbird Count, in 2011.
•  The 14th edition of the Tamirabharani Waterbird Count is co-organized by ATREE’s ACCC, Pearl City Nature Trust, Thoothukudi, Nellai Nature Club Trust, Tirunelveli, and Pushpalata Educational Centre, Tirunelveli.
• 40 out of 100 are identified as migratory birds.
• Sighted birds: Black-tailed Godwit, Egret species (Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Medium Egret and Large Egret), Migratory duck species (Northern Pintail, Bar-headed Geese, and Eurasian Wigeon), Cormorant species (Little Cormorant, Indian Shag, and Oriental Darter), Spot-billed Duck, Common Coot
• Tamirabharani and its major tributaries, including Chithar, Pachchaiyar, Gadana, and Ramanathi serve as crucial water sources for the districts of Tirunelveli, Tenkasi and Thoothukudi.
• Beyond natural disasters, man-made threats such as sewage water drainage, improper waste disposal and misuse of tanks for anti-social activities, mostly for consuming liquor, were observed in numerous tanks.
  • The Vaeinthankulam tank, located in the heart of the city of Tirunelveli faces severe degradation due to anti-social activities including daytime liquor consumption on the tank bund and using this spot for flesh trade in the dusk.
  • The Veinthankulam restoration project was initiated under the ‘Nellai Neervalam‘ in June 2021, and subsequently joined by Care Earth.

About the Thamirabarani River:

• Thamirabarani is the only perennial river in south India that flows through the districts of Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi in Tamil Nadu.
• Originating from the Pothigai hills of Western Ghats, the life-giving river dribbles, sprints and gallops for about 128 kilometres along the southern edge of the country.
• It originates and ends in the same state (Tamil Nadu).
• The river is deeply connected to the lives, livelihoods and culture of the people in the state.
• The river supports wildlife such as the Nilgiri marten, slender loris, lion-tailed macaque, white spotted bush frog, galaxy frog, Sri Lankan Atlas moth and the great hornbill.

Source: TH