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The wetlands of Pathanamthitta, erstwhile bustling with thousands of waterbirds, are witnessing a worrying decline. The latest yearly survey has recorded a important driblet successful vertebrate numbers, highlighting the interaction of shifting cultivation patterns and changing clime connected the delicate ecosystems of the region.
The survey, conducted connected January 10 and 11 crossed 10 large wetlands arsenic portion of the Asian Waterbird Census, aimed to measure the ecological wellness of wetlands and show the presumption of nonmigratory and migratory waterbirds. Across southeast Asia, the census is held simultaneously successful January astatine cardinal wetland sites successful India.
A full of 58 participants, comprising birdwatchers, wood officials and students recorded 3,766 waterbirds crossed 50 species, a notable alteration from the 6,170 waterbirds documented successful past year’s survey. In summation to waterbirds, observers recorded each vertebrate taxon contiguous successful the survey areas. According to survey coordinator Aneesh Sasidharan, a full of 6,656 birds crossed 128 taxon were documented during the census.
Teams covered wetlands including Karingali Puncha, Poozhikkad, Mavarappuncha, Vallikkode Puncha, Ulanad Polachira, Aranmula-Nalkalikal Wetland, Nannur Inchanchal, Kaviyoor Puncha, Idinjillam and Mepral successful precocious Kuttanad.
The survey besides recorded 21 long-distance migratory species, including Garganey, Marsh Sandpiper, Pacific Golden Plover, Common Redshank, Little Ringed Plover, Black-tailed Godwit, Whiskered Tern, Western Yellow Wagtail, Greater Spotted Eagle and Western Marsh Harrier, on with short-distance migrants specified arsenic Black-winged Stilt and Grey Heron.
The census was conducted by Pathanamthitta Birders, a radical of birdwatchers, successful collaboration with the Social Forestry Division of the Forest department. Students from Christian College Chengannur, NSS College Pandalam and Pramadom Netaji Higher Secondary School besides participated successful the survey.
