The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Kolleru regains its splendour

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Feb 15, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Kolleru regains its splendour

M. Sai Gopal

Over 80,000 birds of 100 species flock to the lake during migratory season Over 80,000 birds of 100 species flock the lake during the ongoing migratory season

WONDERS OF NATURE: Painted storks arriving in large numbers at Kolleru lake in Krishna district. -PHOTO: CH. VIJAYA BHASKAR

HYDERABAD: The revival of Kolleru lake, country's largest fresh water lake, finally seems to be yielding exceptional results. A report prepared by city-based wildlife organisations, which conducted annual Asian Waterfowl Census (AWC), points towards a drastic increase in the number of migratory birds.

Conservative estimates of these organisations indicate that for the first time in years, over 80,000 birds of about 100 species have flocked the lake during the ongoing migratory season that lasts till March.

Conservationists, however, make it clear that the census was done only during January-February months and unofficial estimates of the number of birds that would have visited the lake during the entire migratory season could easily touch the magical two-lakh mark.

It may be recalled that operation Kolleru concluded on June 15 last year and within six months, the fresh water lake managed to attract so many species of birds. "In a year, the lake would become the best wetland region in the country. Conservatively, after the revival, the number of birds arriving to lake Kolleru has trebled," says Pranay Waghre from Nallamalai Foundation.

Treat to birdwatchers

Over 60 pelicans, a whopping 5,000 storks, 47,000 Ibises of three varieties, a variety of ducks and geese, about 600 unidentified varieties of ducks, 890 cormorants, 8,635 number of gulls and another 110 unidentified terns and a host of hawks, kingfishers and wagtails have been spotted by the team of conservators and bird counters.

The team has also identified 5,901 egrets of four varieties, 230 little Grebe and several other bird species that are not commonly found in wetland region. The AWC was taken up only to count the wetland birds. AWC is an international programme that focuses on monitoring the status of water birds and wetlands. Nallamalai Foundation, Birdwatchers Society of Andhra Pradesh, Raptor Conservation Foundation and Society for Imparting Wildlife Awareness were involved in the AWC. "The birds that we have recorded are only wetland birds. There are even more different varieties of birds that do not fall in this category. This year, the lake has managed to attract even those species of birds as well," says Mr. Waghre.

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