Kerala - Kochi   

Facelift for Mangalavanam

Photo: H. Vibhu

TREAT FOR BIRD-LOVERS: Mangalavanam, the bird sanctuary in Kochi city. —

KOCHI: Mangalavanam is no longer the preferred abode of birds. Yet, it is a favourite spot for large number of city dwellers.

The sanctuary is visited by over 10,000 people every year, though it doesn’t have much to offer except the general greenery and occasional chirping of birds.

The sanctuary also evokes memories of bird-rich migratory seasons in the minds of bird lovers. The Forest Department is planning to cash in on the green sentiment the sanctuary has created in the minds of nature lovers of Kochi by setting up an interpretation centre there.

In fact, the proposal for setting up the sanctuary is not a new one. The project, which was mooted a few years ago, was almost abandoned following some administrative hiccups. Several migratory seasons have passed by since then. Now, renewed efforts are being made to breathe life into the project.

The Department aims to “develop a well- designed interpretation centre describing the various aspects of wetland eco system” there. A lecture hall and facilities for conducting nature camps will be there at the sanctuary. Care will also be taken to conserve the eco system as a permanent abode of water birds, according to the Forest authorities.

The authorities hope to minimise the threats to the sanctuary and avian population in the area like “environmental pollution, noise pollution, traffic and disturbance to wildlife.” They are optimistic that the centre would “serve as a coastal, urban hub for extending awareness of nature and a major centre for environmental and biodiversity education.”

The sanctuary is a wetland of 2.74 hectares supporting a rich strand of mangroves and was a “favoured abode of several species of wetland birds.” It is also considered as a “fine example of wetland ecosystem with its associated natural resources of mangrove vegetation, prawns, oysters, mussels, clams and fisheries.”

The commonly seen birds to breed in the area are night heron, little cormorant, little egret, cattle egret, pond heron etc, according to official literature.

Though experts are yet to arrive at the reasons for large number of birds bidding goodbye to the sanctuary, it is believed that the urban developmental pressure has spelled doom for the sanctuary. The heavy vehicular traffic, siltation and waste deposition in the area, the growth of invasive weeds in the water body and piling up of non-biodegradable waste in the water body of Mangalavanam are some of the visible signs of distress regarding the sanctuary.

The Forest Department will formally begin work on the interpretation centre on September 6.

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