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Bird Count Reveals Threats to Vital Wetlands
21 Jan
Summary
- Annual waterbird count to cover 60 waterbodies across three districts.
- Migratory birds arrive from Northern Europe due to good monsoon rainfall.
- Discarded fishnets pose a severe threat, entangling and killing birds.
The 16th Tamirabharani Waterbird Count is scheduled from January 23 to 25, covering around 60 waterbodies in Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, and Thoothukudi districts. This annual survey will document both domestic and migratory bird species, assess habitat conditions, and identify challenges faced by the avian visitors.
The event also aims to shed light on the threats these vital waterbodies encounter. Notable species like Eurasian wigeons have arrived from Northern Europe due to favorable monsoon rains. However, conservationists are concerned about the impact of discarded fishnets, which pose a significant danger to birds by entangling them.
Organized by several local conservation groups, the count has been conducted since 2011 to promote waterbird conservation. Volunteers aged 18 and above are invited to participate after registering online by January 22. Training sessions will precede the census, which begins early on January 24.
