Hudhud leaves Biodiversity Park ravaged in Vizag
Some of the rare and botanically significant plants damaged completely
By : DC Correspondent
Update: 2014-10-19 04:49 GMT
Visakhapatnam: Vizag’s only Biodiversity Park which used to house more than 1,500 species of flora has been left utterly destroyed by the cyclone Hudhud. The park’s treasury included a wide variety of flora including medicinal, aromatic and ornamental plants along with palm and bamboo groves.
The park, which was founded in 2001 by Dolphin Nature Conservation Society’s Dr M. Rama Murty, was also a home to about 25 butterfly species, but has now turned into a graveyard of all these plants and trees.
S. Pavani, one of the students, who has been actively associated with the park, says, “Some rare as well as botanically significant plant species have been completely damaged. Annona muricata, popularly known as Hanuman Phalam, and which has anti-cancer propertieshas been destroyed. Some costly ornamental plants like Cymbidium, ornamental plant Ochna serrulata (Micky Mouse tree),
Red Sanders and Rose Wood have also been damaged.”
One of the main culprits behind the damage is Polyalthia longifolia tree, popularly known as Ashoka tree which had lined the entire stretch of road leading to the park.
Pavani says, “As these trees have weak roots and brittle branches, they are very susceptible to uprooting. Rather trees like Astonia scholaris should be planted which are strong.”
However, there is still hope alive. If the debris that covers the entire park is cleared soon so that the plants which are still surviving get air and sunlight, they can recover. Pavani said, "We are hopeful that at least 60% of the original vegetation grows back. We have started restoration work along with volunteers and VUDA officials said that they will help us in reclaiming the park in a week's time. Still, for the canopy cover to return to its original form, it might take at least 8-10 years."
Meanwhile, As most of the trees have either been uprooted or left leafless by strong gales of Cyclone Hudhud, a majority of Vizag birds will be bidding adieu to the city. Dictated by their natural instincts, most of the birds will be flying away to greener pastures.
Same is expected to ha-ppen in the Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary, a home to more than 100 bird species, including a few migrant ones. Prof D.E. Babu, head of the zoology department at Andhra University, said, “Birds have no place left to dwell and breed in the city as their habitat has been left completely devastated. With not many trees left, it will be difficult for the birds to even get food. While common species like crows will adapt to the changes, same cannot be said of species like owls, eagles and kites which were easily found in the city.”
From places located in the city like AU and Vuda Park to those situated in the neighbourhood like Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary, Kapuluppada lake, Mudsarlova, Gambheeram and Thatipudi reservoirs, all were bird watchers' paradise. However after Hudhud havoc, not many birds are expected to stay back.
Some of the birds found commonly include White Bellied Sea Eagles, Barn Owl, Pariah Kites, Common Kestrel, Osprey, Drongo, Egret, Hornet Owl among others. Prof De Babu says, "The effect of this loss in tree cover is not limited to just birds but also microbats(small sized bats) and other small tree dwelling mammals and reptiles. With the heavy loss of canopy cover in the Kamabalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary, there is chance that cases of man-animal conflict might also come to fore as big mammals might foray out of the sanctuary in search of shade, protection or food."