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ROAD LESS TRAVELLED

Hit the wildertrail

Just birds, lilies and you, says SOMA BASU

PHOTO: SOMA BASU

PICTURE OF NEGLECT The bird sanctuary at Uthayamarthandapuram

Uthayamarthandapuram in Tiruvarur District is an obscure bird habitat. The small patch of wetland that attracts over 10,000 migratory birds following the North East monsoon lies hidden in a remote village of the same name. It is situated 60 km after Tiruvarur, on the way to Tiruthuraipoondi. After innumerable turns and stopovers to ask for directions — it takes about 90 minutes to reach the village centre, unless you are held up at the Muthupet railway crossing. From there on, you are forced to slow down because of the narrow road. Enjoy the village vignettes — a primary school, a brightly painted temple, a dilapidated health centre, a community well and children playing by the roadside.

From behind a cluster of trees I spot a faded board indicating the bird sanctuary. Glad that I am on the right path, I move on. But I wonder whether I've lost my way, as I am not able to find the sanctuary gate. Luckily, a cyclist comes by and points towards a mangled wire fence. He asks me to squeeze through a hole in the fence. I'm shocked to learn that this is how one enters the sanctuary. I wriggle through the gap to discover a stone pathway, lined on either side by scrub forests. Neem and tamarind trees form a beautiful canopy.

Winged visitors

After a 30-minute walk, which occasionally entails jumping over fallen palm trees, you arrive at the water body. There are flocks of winged visitors perched on the acacia and barringtonia trees. At first sight, the place appears dirty and messy. The grass is over-grown and thorny. The bund is hardly visible. Lily and water hyacinth literally choke the sanctuary.

The foreground resembles a swamp. In the background, coot, white ibis, grey, purple and night herons can be seen on the tiny patches of earth in the water body. Other birds that visit are egrets, open billed and painted stork, grey pelican, pintail duck and teal.

Purple polka dots

What is so special about Uthayamarthandapuram? It is home to thousands of purple moorhen. Though they are all over the place, you have to strain your eyes to spot them. Scattered but hidden in the wild grass, they appear now and then like purple polka dots on the green canvas. Most appear to be resting, while some stand erect stretching their long, slender white necks. Unfortunately, the villagers feel they are a nuisance and pollute their water source. Hence, they fell the trees and throw stones to discourage the birds from making the sanctuary their habitat. The sad state of the watchtower on one of the banks shows how poorly the place is maintained.

There are hardly any visitors to the sanctuary, except for the odd bird-watcher or ornithologist. For the best part, the villagers use it for grazing their animals, drying clothes and gathering firewood.

A forest official says the sanctuary can be improved with resources. The lake can be deepened, the area properly fenced, the green cover increased and watchtowers built. Are the authorities listening?

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