Athirappally Project a threat to avifauna: study

By G. Hari Sundar

(Article coutsey THE HINDU of 14 Jun 2002)

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, JUNE 13.

The implementation of the Athirappally hydro-electric project is likely to sound the death knell   of the avifauna in the locality,  which includes the Malabar pied  hornbill  (Paandan vezhambal), one of the endangered   birds in the State. 

A  bird  survey  conducted  by  a  city-based group  of Nature lovers, Warblers and Waders, under  the  direction  of  its coordinator,   C.   Sushanth   Kumar, in the Athirappally-Vazhachal   forest   region   has   found that the completion of the hydel-project would also affect the biodiversity of the reserve forest  in the locality. The Vazhachal   division, a corridor connecting the   Parambikulam   Wildlife Sanctuary   and   the   forests   of   Pooyamkutty,   would  be  lost with the implementation of the scheme. 

It is pointed  out that the decline in the number of birds is due to extensive human interference and tourism in the area  apart from the ecological degradation of the existing habitat. Though the Emerald Dove had  been found in large numbers in the flowering bombax trees during   the   survey  last  year,   not even a single bird was sighted this year.  Similarly, the clearing of the undergrowths in the tourism areas, the noise of rubble extraction  and construction activities in the Karanthode area have also affected the bird population. 

The cutting and clearing of bamboo trees and 'eetta' (reeds) have  also resulted in the fall in the population of kingfishers, babblers and chats. However, a major finding was the sighting of the Malabar pied hornbill,  considered  exclusive to this region. However, not much steps are taken for the conservation of this endangered bird. Though the Malabar pied hornbill and the Great Indian pied hornbill nest here every year, it is found that the local tribals, who are ignorant of the status of the hornbill population, consume its meat for relief   from ailments. 

As many as 134  species,  including the  Greateared nightjar and the Imperial pigeon, have been sighted in the Vazhachal-Poringalkuthu region, and 101 species, including  the Adjutant stork, a threatened water bird, in the Lakshmikayam region. The sighting of the State bird, the Great Indian Hornbill and the Little spider hunter at Vachumaram,  the Plain sand martin at Sholayar, a bird rarely seen in the State, and  the first sighting of the Little pratincole at Adichilthotti-Pathadippalam  were  also  some among the significant findings. The study team urged the Government to restrict the flow of tourists in the Athirappally-Vazhachal region, curbs on rubble extraction from the interior areas of the forest and retention of old and rotten trees for enabling birds such as woodpeckers, owls and Hornbills to set up their nests.