Crowded nesting stands prove dear for winged visitors

RAJULAPUDI SRINIVAS

A juvenile pelican died as it got stuck in the iron stand arranged for nesting in
Kolleru Lake at Atapaka Bird Sanctuary in Krishna district. Photo: Ch. Vijaya Bhaskar

A few pelican chicks died and eggs were damaged when they fell from iron stands arranged in Kolleru Lake at Atapaka Bird Sanctuary due to overcrowding of the winged visitors.

About 1,500 chicks, aged between 30 and 60 days, were found on the stands recently.

“The water level in the lake is good. This year the number of birds visiting the sanctuary is high when compared to previous years. A few chicks died and eggs were damaged when they fell from the overcrowded stands,” said the Forest Department officials.

Speaking to The Hindu, Kaikalur Forest Range Officer (FRO) V. Ratna Kumar said the Kolleru Wildlife Management officials arranged iron stands for facilitating the birds for nesting.

Atapaka Bird Sanctuary Deputy FRO V. Satyanandam said as there was no protection on the edges of the stands a few chicks and eggs slipped from the stands.

“We also observed a few chicks dying when they got stuck in the mesh arranged on the stands,” he said.

In addition to 60 iron stands, they erected 40 more stands at different places for the birds to rest.

Metal rods were arranged on the borders of the new stands to protect the chicks and the eggs, he said.

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/crowded-nesting-stands-prove-dear-for-winged-visitors/article4431436.ece

MP, MLA booked for violating Wildlife Act

Forest Department officials on Monday booked Congress MP from Eluru Kavuri Sambasiva Rao, Kaikalur MLA Jayamangala Venkata Ramana and 12 others under various Sections of Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.

The Forest Department authorities also lodged a complaint with the Kaikalur Police against the MP, the MLA and their followers for damaging the Fifth Plus Contour, assaulting and deterring a public servant from discharging his duties.

Speaking to The Hindu , Divisional Forest Officer (Wildlife Management) B. Ramakrishna said that cases had been registered against the MP and the MLA and their followers under Sections.27, 29, 51 and 52 of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

Kaikalur Circle Inspector E. Ashok Kumar Goud said that the police were examining the complaint and cases would be registered after obtaining legal opinion from the experts.

On Sunday, the MP and MLA, along with their followers, illegally entered the Kolleru Wildlife Sanctuary near Atapaka Bird Sanctuary. They tried to lay road on Kolleru Bund connecting Atapaka village in Krishna district and Komatilanka island village of West Godavari district.

The forest officials rushed to the spot and explained that movement of public and vehicles was banned in the sanctuary.

Mild tension prevailed on the district borders, when the leaders allegedly assaulted the forest staff and dumped sand with tractors to strengthen the bund.

“The accused violated the provisions of Wildlife Act and entered into the sanctuary on vehicles. No road should be laid and movement of public and vehicles restricted for providing conducive atmosphere for roosting of birds. But, the pelicans, storks, herons and other birds were disturbed due to the incident,” said a forest officer.

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/mp-mla-booked-for-violating-wildlife-act/article4285115.ece