The Hindu : National : Pelicans come to nest in Kolleru

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Friday, Dec 15, 2006
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Pelicans come to nest in Kolleru

G.V. Ramana Rao

Efforts to protect freshwater lake in Krishna district bear fruit

— PHOTO: CH. VIJAYA BHASKAR

TAKING WING: Painted storks galore at Kolleru lake this week.

KAIKALURU: Operation Kolleru Lake launched by the Andhra Pradesh Government to protect the freshwater body and its bountiful flora and fauna, seems to have paid off, with grey pelicans (Pelecanus philippensis) returning there in large numbers to nest. Over 350 nests have been recorded by the Forest Department in the Atapaka area alone.

The water-spread area near Atapaka village that has now become part of Kaikaluru town in Krishna district was a refuge for several species of water birds. Thousands of birds of different species inhabit this part of Kolleru Lake November through February. But their numbers dwindled after large-scale aquaculture started here.

The steps taken by the people living around the lake and in the island villages to protect the colonies of pelicans fascinated even the British. Gordon Mackenzie, Collector of Krishna district, recorded in The Manual of the Kistna District in the Presidency of Madras (1883) that colonies of pelicans were fostered in several villages.

But aquaculture activity frightened these large birds and they stopped nesting here. Pelican sightings became a rarity in the lake, once home to thousands of them.

A single bird was sighted in 1994 and none after that — until last year when a few pelicans were sighted. But no nests were recorded. This year Atapaka has witnessed hectic nesting.

Bird-watchers are, however, concerned about the drop in the numbers of visiting teals, pintails, pochards and ducks this season. "The euphoria of the nesting pelicans was balanced by the... absence of the ducks," says Sheik Lal Ahmed, Forest Department beat officer. He hopes more ducks would be seen next year.

Another attraction at Atapaka this year is a large number of painted storks. The large and colourful cranes have made a comeback.

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