MALAPPURAM: Thirunvaya, a place known for the largest lotus cultivation in the state, has become a haven for the Asian Open bill Stork, one of the rare migratory birds which nest and breed in Kerala.
A joint bird survey conducted recently by forest officials and birders found around 30 nesting and breeding sites of the Open bill stork in Thirunavaya on the banks of river Nila. “The nests of the rare migratory bird was first found in 2015. Over the past two years Thirunavaya has grown and become a larger habitat which is a rare phenomenon in Kerala,” says Umer Chirakkal, coordinator of Re Echo, a local environmental organisation, which has been demanding the protection of the habitat.
Last summer, miscreants had set fire to the area where the nesting of the Open bill stork was spotted. Hunting the birds was also rampant. Re Echo had approached Tirur RDO seeking action to protect the migratory birds in the area.
According to Dr. Jafer Palot, an ornithologist of the Western Ghat Regional Centre of the Zoological Survey of India, Kozhikode, the breeding of Open bill storks is rare in the state. “Only four or five breeding spots have been found at various places so far during the past two years. We will also visit and observe the nesting found in Thirunavaya,” he said.
Seven sprawling lotus lakes and the banks of river Nila in Thirunavaya have been attracting thousands of migratory birds each year. According to birders, the 700 hectares of land here has witnessed a large scale migration of around 20 species of migratory birds including rare ones during the past few years. Re Echo’s efforts are to bring the habitat to the notice of the government authorities to ensure protection. “We are seeking immediate intervention of the authorities to convert the area into a sanctuary to protect the species of migratory birds which depend on wetlands,” Umer said. “The area has helped the rare migratory birds to create new breeding spots during the past decade. Some of them are only seen in Thattekad Bird Sanctuary in the state,” says birder M. Sadiq.
