Vijayawada: Migratory birds have started arriving in their usual winter haunts in Andhra Pradesh, like the Kolleru bird sanctuary, from Central Asia and Eastern Europe.
Though birds usually arrive from the early October and remain in the region up to March, there was some delay this season. Prevalence of inclement weather conditions in AP, which witnessed spells of cyclonic storms and continuous rainfall might have acted as a deterrent.
Forest authorities say rainfall and high humidity levels in the atmosphere discourage migratory birds from arriving for laying their eggs and breeding in the nests. Nearly 108 species of two to three lakh migratory birds including Pelican are expected to arrive in the Kolleru bird sanctuary this season.
Accordingly, the foresters are at work, arranging artificial nests mainly at Atapaka and Madhapuram so that the birds will use such nests for laying their eggs.
Eluru divisional forest officer (wildlife) B Vijaya said, “We have noticed the arrival of migratory birds in the last few days as the weather conditions are now favourable to them.”
Foresters have initiated extensive awareness drive to sensitise the local villagers against poaching and harming the birds. They are setting up sign boards advising the people not to poach and kill the migratory birds.
“We are acting firmly against those indulging in such acts,” they said and cited a case that was booked earlier, under the relevant provisions of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1992, when a migratory bird was killed by someone and its corpse posted on a social media platform.
Foresters are also encouraging the arrival of migratory birds at Atapaka and Madapuram by arranging the requisite facilities.
