Chennai: The unprecedented drought in Tamil Nadu has forced TN foresters to sound an alert and close down bird sanctuaries early this year. The popular Vedanthangal bird sanctuary located in Kancheepuram district will close by June 1, which is one and a half months ahead of the usual time.
According to the Vedanthangal forest range officer G. Subhiah, this season has seen a drastic reduction in birds' arrival. With the water level fast falling, the sanctuary will be closed early this year. Birds have also started leaving the sanctuary. Last year close to 35,000 migratory and nesting birds visited the sanctuary and thousands of chicks successfully vacated the sanctuary by July end, but this year the migration season had ended in May, the ranger said. This year the sanctuary recorded 22000 birds and 90 per cent have left the sanctuary.
According to bird watchers, the deficit in summer showers coupled with monsoon failure turned water bodies bone dry. Most of the birds returned without nesting due to lack of water and prey. Whenever the monsoon fails, the foresters divert water from Maduranthagam reservoir and then release fingerlings to help the nesting birds in Vedanthangal, but when the entire northern Tamil Nadu is dry there are no other options, foresters added.
“At present, a few hundred Pelican, egrets, painted stork and cormorants are there in the sanctuary. Guess by next month the entire Vedanthangal lake will be dry,” said N. Balaji, a regular visitor to Vedanthangal.
District forest officers are now examining the water levels in wildlife sanctuaries and reserve forests. The only respite is that the reserve forests in Nilgiris, Hogenakkal and Krishnagiri have received good rainfall in the past two weeks, sources at Forest department headquarters in Panagal Building said.
