Category Archives: Green Initiatives/ Environment

State gets exclusive sanctuary for spotted deer

October 14, 2013Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives/ Environment, Natureadmin

Spotted deer roaming freely at Gangaikondan reserve forest./ Photo: A. Shaikmohideen / The Hindu

Gangaikondan sanctuary in Tirunelveli notified

Tamil Nadu now has an exclusive sanctuary for spotted deer with the State government notifying the formation of Gangaikondan Spotted Deer Sanctuary.

An order from the Environment and Forests Department said this follows an announcement this May by Chief Minister Jayalalithaa in the Assembly that the sanctuary in Tirunelveli district would be formed in the current fiscal.

With this, there would be 11 wildlife sanctuaries in the State.

Subsequently, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden sent necessary proposal for declaration of Gangaikondan Spotted Deer Sanctuary under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and it was accepted by the government with effect from October 1.

According to the notification, the Gangaikondan reserve forest is an important habitat for spotted deer. This is the southern most habitat of spotted deer outside the Western Ghats. It is also a habitat for peafowls, mongoose, varied reptiles, avifauna.

There is adequate ecological, faunal, floral, geo-morphological, natural and other zoological significance for the purpose of protection, propagation and management of the wildlife and its environment.

Forest officials said the sanctuary is spread over in 250ha and surrounded by patta lands. Due to this a perimeter wall has to be built around the sanctuary area. The forest type is dry deciduous and scrub jungle, which is strategically located on the National Highway 7 and 10km away from the Tirunelveli town.

The department proposes to introduce eco-development activities by involving the locals. The activities included skill development for youth, asset creation and micro enterprises for livelihood, the authorities added.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> TamilNadu / by P. Oppili / N. RaviKumar / Chennai – October 09th, 2013

Here’s rice that your doctors won’t object to

October 14, 2013Green Initiatives/ Environment, Nature, Science & Technologies, Uncategorizedadmin

Dr Mohan’s high fibre rice could be the answer to the rice craving of diabetics. | Martin Louis/File

The first thing that your doctor will do the minute your blood sugar levels inch above 120 mg/dL, is probably look at you reproachfully, shake his head and tell you to lay off rice for lunch and dinner.

In fact, most new diabetics will admit that laying off the rice in ‘meals’ and switching to chappatis is one of the most trying things about being a ‘sugar’ patient. All that could very well change, if diabetologist Dr V Mohan’s new variety of rice lives up to its promises.

Launched in the city on Wednesday, Dr Mohan’s Jeevan Dharini High Fibre Rice and Rice Rava could be the answer for the rice craving of diabetics. Though the carbohydrate content in Dr Mohan’s rice is just a shade lower than your regular Ponni varieties, the difference is in the glycemic index and the fibre content, says the diabetologist. “Where normal varieties of rice have only 0.8 gms of dietary fibre, our rice has 8.3 gms of fibre making it an extremely healthy and safe option,” says Dr V Mohan. For daily consumption? “Of course, with a little bit of smart moderation,” he adds.

This variety of rice has been developed after years of research and researching over 200 varieties of rice, he states. “We finally found this hybrid variety that comes from a cross with the local ponni variety that is extremely tasty and yet has some great nutritional numbers,” says Dr Mohan. This is the second rice product that they have rolled out – their brown rice variety didn’t quite set the ball rolling because it wasn’t quite attractive to look at nor was it exceptionally tasty, “People need rice to appeal to their senses – it has to be white, tasty, fragrant and still be healthy. That’s the combination we’ve managed to work out here,” said Dr R M Anjana, VP of Dr Mohan’s Institutions, as she rolled out a whole bunch of recipes that were moulded around this rice.

The rice varieties were tested and perfected at their research centre in collaboration with Dr M S Swaminathan’s Research Foundation (MSSRF), explaining why he was the first to receive the rice, “There are over 1.5 lakh varieties of rice in the world,” he says, “I know because I’ve worked with lots of them. Many of them are yet to be tapped for their true medicinal properties and their dietary structure. I hope that Dr Mohan will look into some more research in this field,” said Dr M S Swaminathan. Foodking Sarathbabu E and Bindu Sharma, patent attorney were also present.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Chennai / by Express News Service – Chennai / July 18th, 2013

Ra Ra Rambutan…

October 8, 2013Business & Economy, Green Initiatives/ Environment, Natureadmin

K. Subramani, who sells purple mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) and rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum) at his fruit cart near Race Course in Coimbatore. / Photo:M.Periasamy. / The Hindu

Ah…the taste. Refreshing, sweet and juicy. I relish the pearly white flesh of rambutan and smile. “It takes nearly 10 minutes to enjoy a single fruit,” says K. Subramani as he arranges the decorative red fruits in a mound on his fruit cart near the Race Course corner.

Rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum) from Burliar near Mettupalayam are sought after in Coimbatore for their health benefits. The seasonal fruit is being sold at Rs.300 a kilogram./ Photo: M. Periasamy. / The Hindu

Rambutan mimics lychee in taste and form. Once you peel the spiky red rubbery skin, you find a translucent oval fruit, firm and juicy. Subramani says rambutan helps control blood sugar levels. “Diabetics and those with blood pressure buy it regularly,” he says.

Rambutan is seasonal and available from June to August. It comes from Barliyar, near Mettupalayam.

“People still go in for apples and oranges, which are imported and preserved. They are stale by the time they reach customers. Rambutans are fresh as they are locally grown. Sadly, many are still not aware of its health benefits.”

Purple mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) known for curing stomach ulcers arrive in Coimbatore from Tenkasi during the month of July. The seasonal fruit is being sold at Rs.200 a kilogram./ Photo: M. Periasamy./ The Hindu

Another purple mound on his cart catches my eye. That is mangosteen. I hold the fruit with both hands, pull out the fibrous skin and scoop up the juicy white flesh. It is delicious. “Mangosteen is cooling. It helps heal stomach ulcers and internal surgery wounds. Many doctors buy it regularly,” says Subramani.

Subramani’s day begins at the crack of dawn at the Town Hall market. Every single day, about 3,000 kg of mangosteens arrive from Tenkasi near Madurai. He supplies the mangosteens to about 50 carts and shops in Race Course, Raja Street, Ukkadam and Mettupalayam Road. Then, it’s business as usual at his cart in Race Course, till 8 p.m. He also makes a powder out of the dried skin of mangosteen. This can be consumed with milk or curd, he says. The soft and crunchy seed of Rambutan can also be used in powder form with milk.

Jamun (Syzygium cumini) that come from Andhra Pradesh are known for their health benefits and it arrives in plenty to Coimbatore markets in the month of July. The fruit is being sold at Rs.200 a kilogram./ Photo: M. Periasamy./ The Hindu

Then, there are jamuns, another seasonal fruit that comes from Andhra Pradesh. “Jamuns are always popular and the sweet-sour taste is a big hit among everyone. People now make juice with jamun pulp, salt and a squeeze of lemon. A lot of my customers substitute their morning tea with a drink made from jamun seed powder and warm water for a healthy start.” An added attraction at his cart are plump guavas that have come all way from Ayakudi in Palani.

To know more, call Subramani at 96984-45453.

Price

Rambutan (Rs.200 a kg), Mangosteen (Rs. 200 a kg) and Jamun (Rs. 240 a kg)

Where to find them

At the Race Course corner (opposite to Big Bazaar)

When available

Every year, the fruits are available only for three months. You will find them only from June to August

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus> Food / by K. Jeshi / Coimbatore – July 09th, 2013

Farmer bags Progressive Mushroom Grower award

October 7, 2013Business & Economy, Green Initiatives/ Environment, Nature, Records, All, Science & Technologiesadmin

Coimbatore :

A mushroom grower hailing from Villupuram district has bagged the Progressive Mushroom Grower award for this year for his outstanding contribution to the mushroom industry in Tamil Nadu.

A R Mohamed Khan from Kallakurichi in Villupuram district was earlier trained at Mushroom Research and Training Centre in Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) in 2010.

The average mushroom production at his farm is 100 kg per day and he has also established a mushroom spawn laboratory with the production capacity of 300kg per day, said a statement from TNAU.

Apart from this, he is the only manufacturer of mushroom rusks in Tamil Nadu having the production capacity of 500 kg rusk a day.

Mohamed has also engaged around 10 dealers to supply mushroom rusks in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. His other products include mushroom pickles and mushroom pakodas and he has also developed the technology for producing mushroom noodles and mushroom bathing soap.

Considering such outstanding achievements in the mushroom industry, the award was presented to him by Directorate of Mushroom Research, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).

Dr Vijay Singh Thakar, Vice-Chancellor of Dr.Y.S.Parmar University of Horticulture & Forestry at Solan in Himachal Pradesh presented the award during the National Mushroom Mela held recently at Solan. TNAU officials said that his keen interest in providing support to small and marginal mushroom growers and efforts taken to popularise mushroom consumption needs special mention.

Mohamed Khan also gives free consultations to budding entrepreneurs and is a pioneer in introducing value addition of mushroom.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Coimbatore> Agri Research / TNN / September 30th, 2013

Madurai farmers turning tech savvy

October 6, 2013Business & Economy, Green Initiatives/ Environment, Nature, Science & Technologiesadmin

Farmers harvesting paddy in a field using a machine./ File Photo / The Hindu

They reap benefits of automation and modern agro methods

Technology has made inroads into agricultural operations in Madurai district. Farmers have started reaping benefits after they have automated and adopted modern agriculture methods.

Paddy yield has steadily increased over a span of four years. In 2009-10, the yield was 5,554 kg per hectare (ha). It increased to 6,367 kg/ha in 2010-11 and 6,819 kg/ha in 2011-12. Despite a severe drought, it was 5,157 kg/ha in 2012-13, a year in which many districts sought monetary relief to offset losses in the farm sector.

Though slow to embrace the system of Rice Intensification (SRI) technique introduced by the government, farmers are now enjoying the dividends.

Today, small and marginal farmers are quick to use farm implements such as power tillers, transplanters and power weeders, once topics of discussion limited to officials, manufacturers and farmers with large holdings, says S. Kanagaraj, Deputy Director (Watershed Development Agency).

By involving the village youth, ‘Farmers’ interest groups’ (FIG) were formed in all the 13 blocks in Madurai district. The FIGs monitored and fulfilled farmers’ needs. For instance, farmers in Thuyaneri near Othakadai in the Madurai East block were supplied with power tillers and transplanters but were also made accountable for their maintenance, Mr. Kanagaraj said.

Now, S. Ramaiah of Kallanthiri is able to manage his 2.5-acre paddy field with minimum farm labour. “I became familiar with the farm equipment after attending an ATMA programme. The introduction of the harvester machine has come as a big relief. Water conservation techniques are also useful. There were initial hiccups, but I managed to overcome them,” he said.

Like Ramaiah, many other farmers have their own success stories, say officials.

Weather bulletin

Another important scientific advancement that has reached the nook and corners of Madurai district is the easy access to rainfall data. The weather forecast can be accessed on tawn.tnau.ac.in. Established by the Agro Climate Research Centre, the agri-weather bulletin provides data on local temperature, possibility of rainfall in the next 24 hours, humidity level, and other information. The weather forecast enables farmers to plan the day’s work, says Arulprakasam, an FIG member.

Presently, automatic weather stations are functioning in Vadipatti, Madurai East, Madurai West, Alanganallur and Kottampatti blocks. Soon, the other eight blocks too will have the facility, a Tamil Nadu Agricultural University official said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Madurai / by L. Srinivasan / Madurai – September 13th, 2013

Fragrance everywhere!

October 2, 2013Business & Economy, Green Initiatives/ Environment, Natureadmin

Thovalai, also known as Thovalai Vadakur, is a taluk located on the border of Kanyakumari and Tirunelveli districts near Nagercoil. Situated near Aramboly gap, a natural depression running through the Western Ghats, it connects Kanyakumari with the rest of Tamil Nadu. Thovalai is famed all over south India for its vast stretches of flower fields and the flower market. Due to the availability of all varieties of flowers in good quality at cheap rates, the demand for flowers from Thovalai is very high, especially during the festival seasons. Besides flowers, vast stretches of paddy fields and coconut groves can be sighted in and around Thovalai.

THOVALAI FLOWER FIELDS

The village of Thovalai and its surrounding areas boast of extensive stretches of flower fields. Travelling from Nagercoil to Tirunelveli, one can see flower fields even adjacent to the road.

The region around Thovalai taluk cultivates a wide variety of flowers ranging from indigenous to alien ones. Conventional flowers like jasmine, kanagambaram and others are cultivated in various regions around Thovalai. Kerala is one of the major markets for the flowers of Thovalai during Onam festival. Besides Kerala, flowers are in high demand in other towns and cities of Tamil Nadu.

Years ago, Thovalai only had vast stretches of paddy fields and not many flower fields. The reason for the shift from paddy to flower cultivation was due to lack of adequate rains. Thovalai receives a meagre rainfall throughout the year. The agro-climatic conditions existing in the hill ranges, valleys and plains of the Kanyakumari district are ideal to nurture flowers.

The flowers are cultivated throughout the year, but the demand for flowers is very high during August and September.

Hence, June/July is preferred for cultivation as the region receives slight monsoon rains then. A small water body called the Thovalai channel starting from the Pechiparai dam flows through this village catering to the requirements of flower farmers. Otherwise, this villagers depend on water from wells.

The writer is a faculty at School of Tourism Studies, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam.

Million dollar business

The prime tourist attraction of Thovalai is the Thovalai flower market. A wide range of flowers cultivated in adjoining areas like Radhapuram, Nanguneri, Sankarankoil, Palayamkottai and Tenkasi of the neighbouring Tirunelveli district find their way to the Middle East through the flower market.

The market opens as early as 5.30 am, closes by 11.30 am and is busy with vendors and buyers throughout the day. Within a few hours, flowers of various varieties worth lakhs are sold, with major buyers coming from faraway places like Thiruvananthapuram and Madurai. The flowers sold here range from Rs 20 per kg to Rs 200 per kg and above depending on the supply, demand, size and variety of the flowers.

The conventional flower market is not a regulated one with private parties conducting business with their own contacts and on their own terms and conditions.

The major flowers exported from Thovalai are malligai, pichi, kaakadai, kanagamparam, kenthi, sampangi, vaadamalli, rose, kozhipoo and chevanthi etc. The rates are varied based on the demand and supply with prices soaring during festival and marriage season in particular. Chrysanthemums, jasmine, malligai, arali, thovalai pacha and pichi are the main varieties having excessive demand during the festivals. Red lotus and white lotus are cultivated in the ponds, lakes and other water bodies of Thovalai. Even though flowers are exported in large quantities to different places from Thovalai, many varieties reach here from faraway places like Madurai and Cholavandan and roses, in particular, are coming from Bangalore.

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Lifestyle> Travel / by Abin K, DC / September 13th, 2013

15-yr pan-Indian research yields riches

October 1, 2013Green Initiatives/ Environment, Nature, Science & Technologiesadmin

Picture for representational purpose only.

Coimbatore:

After conducting pan India research, the Forest College and Research Institute (FC&RI) in Mettupalayam, near Coimbatore, has come out with a slew of traditional and under-utilised crop varieties with high-nutritional value that are suitable for cultivation in Tamil Nadu.

The FC&RI, in collaboration with the Indian Council of Agricultural and Research, undertook a national-level co-ordinated research network on under-utilised crops since 1982 to promote such under-utilised and traditional crops for human use in Tamil Nadu.

“After an intensive 15 years of study, we have found a high-yielding variety of the grain, amaranth, which has immense health benefits and is suitable for cultivation in Tamil Nadu’s conditions,” said A. Balasubramanian, professor and researcher at FC&RI.

Amaranth can be used as porridge, like popcorn and to manufacture biscuit. “This grain contains components like lyseme and squalene, which is utilised for preparation of medicines meant to cure cancer and reduce cholesterol. It can also be preferred as a low-sugar food,” Prof Balasubramanian said.

Amaranth, which was cultivated in the Kolli Hills and the Nilgiris, was the main food crop centuries ago. “The crop variant has now been brought from Gujarat, where it is sown for export to international markets,” the researcher said.

Like in the case of amaranth, FC&RI has also brought out crops like rice bean, an intercrop, and simarouba, a tree variety from South America, with high health benefits, and which can be grown in TN.

“These few varieties of crops were found suitable for our state after research on hundreds of crops which have been proved successful. While the rice bean has high protein content, simarouba can be used to produce edible oil, which has low melting point and can be used for making chocolates. The desired varieties of amaranth are capable of yielding eight quintals per acre if raised during the kharif and late rabi season,” said Prof Balasubramanian, adding that efforts would now be taken to promote these crops among farmers.

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> News> Current Affairs / DC / by V. Ashok Kumar / September 29th, 2013

Dindigul shows the way in rainwater harvesting

September 21, 2013Green Initiatives/ Environment, Nature, Science & Technologiesadmin

Madurai :

When several parts of the state are still facing water shortages, Dindigul town has reported steady rise in groundwater level after the recent rains. The residents now laud the municipality for its intensive drive to create awareness on rainwater-harvesting measures in the town.

The water table in Dindigul town, which had touched an all time low of 600 feet earlier, has climbed up to 500 ft. The residents, who are the beneficiaries, are happy they complied with the municipality and laid down the rainwater harvesting structures in time.

A survey of buildings with the rainwater-harvesting structures, including houses, commercial complexes and industrial units, was done in June this year, said Dindigul municipal commissioner T Kumar. Out of 20,337 buildings, only about 3,000 had rainwater-harvesting structures then. Soon, 30 teams of municipal employees swung into action and made door-to-door visits, insisting people to fix the structures. Their efforts paid off and today over 12,000 buildings in the town have rainwater harvesting structures.

The municipal workers talked to the residents and sensitised them on the need to harvest the rainwater. Senior town planning officer M A Palaniappan said the government has designed specific rainwater-harvesting models according to soil condition. Dindigul has sandy soil which enables easy percolation of the rainwater; hence; the residents were asked to install structures which cost about Rs 3,000 for a 1,000 square-feet structure. “We specify that each structure should have a depth of, at least, one meter,” he said. Buildings that adopt the system have spot a sticker saying “rainwater-harvesting measures implemented”.

V Marudharaj, municipal chairman, is passionate about the concept. He propagates the importance of harvesting the precious natural resource among the residents of the town. The municipal office has model structures of the system to give residents an idea about the system. The residents were also asked to refurbish the old harvesting infrastructure, Marudharaj said.

To avoid water crisis, the municipality even restored the Gobalsamudram tank spread over four acres in the heart of Dindigul town. “We took up the restoration work that was pending for the last 40 years. Shrubs were removed and all the sewage that flowed into the tank was diverted. The tank has been fenced and only rain water will be allowed to flow into it from the nearby buildings in future. Two wells within the tank were also deepened. If there is good rainfall, this tank will be filled with sparkling rainwater,” Marudharaj explained about the measures undertaken.

Rajarathinam, a resident, said the water in his domestic borewell has gone up by 5 ft after the recent rains and that he is happy that he installed the rainwater harvesting system. Jayalakshmi, another resident, noted that garden plants are now growing well after she put up the system.

Sources say that the administration should insist on the implementation of the rainwater harvesting system in villages also.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Madurai> Water table / by Padmini Sivarajah, TNN / September 14th, 2013

Stripe search

September 15, 2013Education, Green Initiatives/ Environment, Natureadmin

Children at Top Slip during the 'Kids for Tiger' campaign / The Hindu — Children at Top Slip during the ‘Kids for Tiger’ campaign / The Hindu

They did not spot a tiger, but the school children who visited Top Slip learnt important lessons about protection and well being of forests and the environment. The writer learnt a few lessons to0.

A loud scream splits the air, and it is followed immediately by more screams. Every one rushes out, fearing the worst. It is a dark night at Top Slip, and 67 kids have just left the dining room making place for the grown-ups to eat. Earlier that day, they visited the Kolikamuthi elephant camp to watch the animals being fed and tended to by the local tribals. And conversations had mostly revolved around rogue elephants, angry bears, gaur and, of course, tigers. Had the kids been attacked by a wild animal?

Thankfully not. We catch a glimpse of a disappearing snake, but not before it is identified as non-venomous. There is no harm done. What follows, right there under the starry sky is an impromptu lesson by Mohammad Saleem on snakes, and the kids listen, engrossed. Class VII and VIII students of Subbaiah Central School, Tirupur, have come to Top Slip with their teachers on a programme called ‘Kids for Tigers’ initiated by Sanctuary Asia.

The importance of green

Saleem is the co-ordinator for Sanctuary Asia in Coimbatore, and he has organised the outing to sensitise the children on the importance of the environment. “Thousands of children like you are enrolled in the project,” explains Saleem who is also the founder and managing trustee of the Environment Conservation Group. “From Kashmir to Kanyakumari, a movement is on to spread awareness about the tiger. We are doing this for you, it is your world. You should know the importance of forest cover, for the world to survive,” he says.

But, why only the tiger? There are so many other animals too that live in the forest… don’t they deserve to be saved?

“The tiger indicates the health of the forest. Its survival ensures ecological balance. It ensures a healthy prey base and greenery and protects our water source. A healthy tiger population means a healthy environment. Saleem shares some horrifying statistics. In the 1900s there were around a lakh tigers in the world. Now the population has shrunk to a mere 3,000-odd tigers. And, of those, India has 1,706 (according to the 2012 census).

The two-day trip accomplishes a year’s worth of teaching in class, say the school teachers. And, indeed, as the kids take a guided walk into the jungle (cut down to a manageable three km) they pick up a wealth of knowledge from Saleem and his team made up of G. Srinivasan, M. Hasan, A.R. Ameen and M. Natraj. The conservationists tell the children how to observe Nature closely, how a small patch of the jungle teems with life. Even a dead tree trunk is home to thousands of insects and worms. Everything sustains everything else. Everything needs everything else to survive.

Children are taught to identify the birdcalls. Soon they know what a barbet sounds like and how a babbler calls out. They listen to the woodpecker knocking. They encounter spiders in their massive webs and millipedes that curl up when touched. A puddle of water in a rocky clearing yields a baby snake, tadpoles and scores of insects. Then, Saleem picks up what looks like a small piece of jagged wood. “What is this,” he asks. It is part of a deer antler that is source of food for porcupines as it is rich in calcium; porcupines need calcium for their quills… The walk is peppered with information and facts and the kids soak it all in.

At the end of the trek, we compare notes. We spotted the vernal hanging parrot, scarlet minivet, spotted dove, red vented bulbul, peafowls, jungle babblers and the flame back woodpecker. We heard the great pied hornbill and grey jungle fowl. And, in the dense canopy of trees we caught a glimpse of the gaur, Malabar giant squirrel, sambar and spotted deer, besides the Nilgiri langur and the common langur.

We did not see any tigers, but we could feel its presence keeping an eye on the health of the forest!

Facts

The tiger population which was around 1,00,000 in 1900s had dropped now to less than 3,500 in the wild. Before Independence there were around 40,000 tigers in India. Today the number stands at 1,706, which makes India home to more than half of the world’s tiger population.

‘Kids for Tigers’ is a national environmental educational programme aimed at spreading awareness among students on the importance of saving forests. It uses tiger as a metaphor for all of Nature. The programme covers thousands of students from more than 750 schools across 15 cities and towns in India. The programme is implemented by Sanctuary Asia and supported by Aircel.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> S&T> Environment / by Pankaja Srinivasan / Coimbatore – September 01st, 2013

Ground-nesting bird species endangered in Tamil Nadu

September 13, 2013Green Initiatives/ Environment, Natureadmin

Naturalists make a strong case for comprehensive study to save them from extinction

Equipped with unique evolutionary advantages, ground nesting birds used to survive against all odds. But now these bird species are under grave threat that has come in the form of shrinking of their habitation and predatory animals.

Naturalists and ornithologists have made a strong case for a comprehensive study of these species so that they could be saved from extinction.

“We do not have exhaustive data about these birds and there is scope for studying these birds that are facing a threat in many forms. On the one hand, their habitat is shrinking and, on the other, feral dogs and grazing animals are destroying their nests and chicks,” said P. Pramod, senior scientist, Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History

In Kanyakumari, a group of naturalists led by S.S. Davidson spotted a good number of these birds incubating eggs in Kanyakumari and Tirunelveli districts. The birds include Red Wattled Lapwing, Yellow Wattled Lapwing, Black-bellied Finch Lark or the Ashy-crowned Finch Lark and Stone Curlew.

“Since they build nests on bare lands they face threats from all sides, even though they possess protective camouflage,” Mr. Davidson said.

Predators such as kite, shikra, monitor lizard and mongoose prey on the eggs and chicks of these birds. The nests on grass lands and near water bodies are trampled upon by domestic animals thronging water bodies.

Mr. Davidson said he and his team spotted Red Wattled Lapwing and Yellow Wattled Lapwing near wetland areas near Koonthankulam in Tirunelveli district.

The nests of Lapwings on a ground depression are often fringed with pebbles, goat or hare droppings. The Lapwings breed in the dry season before monsoon. While nesting, the parent birds often visit nearby water bodies and wet their breast feathers to cool their bodies and the chicks. “The nidifugous young (chicks that leave the nest shortly after hatching) are camouflaged as they forage along with their parents. In the event of any threat, the chicks squat flat on the ground and freeze, as the parents raise alarm calls,” Mr Davidson explained.

Another ground nesting bird is Black-bellied Finch Lark or the Ashy-crowned Finch Lark that inhabits bare grounds and grasslands. The bird with short legs and finch-like beak can never be found perching on trees.

“The lark makes the nest on the ground, which is a compact, tiny, neatly made saucer like depression under the shelter of a tuft of grass lined with grass and hair with some pebbles arranged on the edge. Both the parents shoulder the responsibility of raising the birds,” Mr Davidson said. Another ground nesting bird is Stone Curlew, whose physical features merge with the colour of the nesting site, an ideal way to masquerade.

Naturalist Ranjit Daniels stressed the need for preserving the nesting sites, by sparing them from planning trees under greening programme.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Tamil Nadu / by B. Kolappan / Chennai – September 01st, 2013

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