Home / Environment / Vettangudi Birds Face Drought: Monsoon Failure Threatens Sanctuary
Vettangudi Birds Face Drought: Monsoon Failure Threatens Sanctuary
25 Aug
Summary
- Vettangudi Bird Sanctuary's lake remains dry due to failed southwest monsoon.
- Migratory birds have arrived early and face an uncertain, parched season.
- Local residents and birds suffer from the drought-like conditions.
Thousands of migratory birds arriving at Vettangudi Bird Sanctuary in Sivaganga district are finding a bone-dry lakebed instead of their usual wet habitat. The Kollukudipatti tank, a critical ecological zone for around 217 bird species, has failed to fill due to the inadequate southwest monsoon.
These birds, accustomed to raising their chicks before migrating back by February-March, have already begun arriving. However, the current drought-like situation has left them with uncertain prospects. Local residents are pinning their hopes on the upcoming northeast monsoon to bring much-needed rainfall.
Residents shared that if the drought persists, the migratory visitors will be forced to leave the sanctuary. They emphasized that the failure of rains would not only affect farmers but also the birds that depend on the wetland. The community traditionally abstains from loud festivals to protect nesting birds, underscoring the unique coexistence disrupted by the current environmental crisis.
