Respect privacy of birds

Chennai: People entering protected bird wetland areas in Chennai has been increasing, which, in turn, affects the nesting of birds. The presence of mobile phone cameras have also become a major nuisance in restricted protected forest areas.

A large number of people entering Pallikaranai and Nanmangalam, in the name of photography and research, has been disturbing the ambience for migratory birds, complain foresters.

“Since photography is no more an expensive affair, every other person walks around with a camera claiming to be a photographer. Most of the photographers, who create a problem in the marshy land of Pallaikkaranai are Viscom students, IT professionals or people who have nothing better to do,” said Dawn Williams of Blue Cross of India.

Public entry into the Guindy National Park is not welcomed. It has been said that prior permission has to be taken in case anyone wishes to visit the bird sanctuary, which have to be approved of by the Wildlife Warden. Sources had said that there is not much disturbance at the National Park with not more than 1,500 visitors a year compared with six to ten lakh visitors seen at Children’s Park.