M.T. SHIVA KUMAR
Much to the delight of bird-watchers, several species of birds have started arriving at Kokkare Bellur, on the banks of the Shimsha, near Maddur, in the district.
Kokkare Bellur is among the 465 bird sites identified in the country by the Indian Bird Conservation Network (IBCN).
Around 300 Spot-billed Pelicans, nearly 1,100 Painted Storks as well as other species of birds have landed at Kokkare Bellur in the last few weeks, occupying around 140 trees.
The increase in the number of winged visitors had left bird-watchers elated, Mr. Mahesh said.
More than 1,500 birds of several species descend on the village every year to nest. Last year, around 800 Painted Storks visited the village. Kokkare Bellur is considered one of the safe places for pelicans in India with local people passionately safeguarding the birds.
According to local people, the birds have been coming to Kokkare Bellur to nest for several decades and depart with the onset of monsoon. The Forest Department has been requesting local residents not to harm the birds and not to cut or trim the branches of trees.
It distributes around Rs. 1.2 lakh annually as compensation to persons on whose property the birds nest.
Recently, he and some others rescued three chicks recently which are being looked after at the enclosure.
The village also attracts tourists from different parts of the country, Mr. Lokesh told The Hindu .
Meanwhile, according to Mr. Mahesh, the Forest Department is contemplating giving Kokkare Bellur ‘Community Bird Sanctuary’ status to develop it.
Source: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/the-birds-really-rule-the-roost-here/article4457339.ece
Spot-billed Pelicans, Painted Storks and other species have started arriving at Kokkare Bellur
- Around Rs. 1.2lakh is given annually as relief to persons on whose property the birds nest
- ‘Kokkare Bellur may be given ‘Community Bird Sanctuary’ status to develop it’
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| Here again: More than 1,500 birds of several species descend on Kokkare Bellur village in Mandya district every year to nest. |
Kokkare Bellur is among the 465 bird sites identified in the country by the Indian Bird Conservation Network (IBCN).
Around 300 Spot-billed Pelicans, nearly 1,100 Painted Storks as well as other species of birds have landed at Kokkare Bellur in the last few weeks, occupying around 140 trees.
‘Increase in numbers’
“There is a considerable increase in the number of migratory birds compared with last year,” G. Mahesh, Deputy Range Forest Officer (Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary), told The Hindu here on Tuesday.The increase in the number of winged visitors had left bird-watchers elated, Mr. Mahesh said.
More than 1,500 birds of several species descend on the village every year to nest. Last year, around 800 Painted Storks visited the village. Kokkare Bellur is considered one of the safe places for pelicans in India with local people passionately safeguarding the birds.
According to local people, the birds have been coming to Kokkare Bellur to nest for several decades and depart with the onset of monsoon. The Forest Department has been requesting local residents not to harm the birds and not to cut or trim the branches of trees.
It distributes around Rs. 1.2 lakh annually as compensation to persons on whose property the birds nest.
For rescued chicks
The department has also hired a local person, P. Lokesh Kumar, to keep an eye on the movements of the birds and to protect chicks from stray dogs. An enclosure with a mesh has been established at the village where chicks that have fallen from their nests are taken care of.Recently, he and some others rescued three chicks recently which are being looked after at the enclosure.
The village also attracts tourists from different parts of the country, Mr. Lokesh told The Hindu .
Meanwhile, according to Mr. Mahesh, the Forest Department is contemplating giving Kokkare Bellur ‘Community Bird Sanctuary’ status to develop it.
Source: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/the-birds-really-rule-the-roost-here/article4457339.ece
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