AP to conserve four nearly-extinct bird species

VIJAYAWADA: Lesser florican, Terek sandpiper, Jerdon’s courser and green munia were identified as four endangered bird species that will be conserved and protected on a priority basis by creating suitable habitats, given that they are on the verge of extinction, officials said.

The action comes on a report ‘The state of India’s Birds-2023’, prepared by the Wildlife Institute of India, Wetlands International and others, which gave an insight into their range, trends and conservation status.

Foresters sighted lesser florican in Rollapadu and Kurnool, but said they are few in number. They came up with a 10-year action plan and submitted it to the Centre for its approval.

Terek sandpiper, named after the Terek River in the Caspian region, was sighted along the beaches and estuaries of Srikakulam, Visakhapatnam, Krishna Sanctuary, Nellore and Pulicat Lake. However, given the few sightings, authorities plan to explore the coastline to get more information about their presence. Their presence was previously recorded at Prakasam Barrage in Vijayawada, with forest authorities saying they might be migrating to other places.

Jerdon’s courser was thought to be extinct for the past 88 years, until a sighting in Lankamalla forests in 1986, with the last sighting recorded in 2000. Several NGOs and research organisations recorded the bird’s call, which is being explored to find out whether it is the same bird or another species mimicking its call. Forest authorities, for the past 10 years, have been trying to establish its presence through camera traps, to create suitable habitats mainly in Cuddapah and Chittoor districts.

Green munia is a small bird found in Maredumilli and Chintapalli forest areas. Its breeding was recorded recently in Gudisa and surrounding habitats.

Additional principal chief conservator of forests Shantipriya Pande said, “We will initiate all requisite measures to improve birds’ habitats by facilitating growth of scrub forests, not allowing grazing and setting up bird traps by stepping of up vigil, in addition to bringing about awareness on the importance of their conservation and protection among the stakeholders so that their population will grow in AP.”

The report also mentioned nearly 20 more species that require the highest conservation priority in AP.