Prioritised wetland Adyar Estuary likely to turn into bird’s haven: Report
CHENNAI: Located amid the concrete jungle, Adyar Estuary in the city is one of the wetlands in Tamil Nadu that has the potential to be recognized as a protected bird sanctuary on a priority basis.
The assessment conducted by the Advanced Institute for Wildlife Conservation in Vandalur identified that the Adyar Estuary needs immediate recognition as the estuary has been ranked a top-priority wetland among 207 wetlands that have the potential to be declared as a bird sanctuary.
The estuary is the crucial breeding ground for migratory birds visiting the coast during the winter. While the water bodies around the Estuary cover 8.98 sq km, the built-up area covers 13.40 sq km. But the estuary covers little over 1 sq km of area.
Five of the ten top-priority wetlands identified with the potential to be recognised as bird sanctuaries are located in Chennai and neighbouring districts. Besides Adyar Estuary, Nayapakkam Lake and Nochimedu Lake in Tiruvallur, Thaiyur Lake and Kelambakkam backwaters in Chengalpattu also have the potential to become bird sanctuaries.
According to the assessment report, the parameters for priority-based ranking include the number of bird species, threats caused by agriculture, human encroachments, industries, and others.
As many as 163 bird species have been recorded in Thaiyur from 2013 to September 2022 and 195 species have been recorded in Kelambakkam backwaters from 2010 to September 2022. On the other hand, as many as 191 bird species have been recorded at Nayapakkam Lake from 2012 to September 2022, and 181 bird species have been recorded at Nayapakkam Lake from 2012 to September 2022.
“Besides enhancing avian biodiversity, conserving wetlands as natural habitats for birds also aids in maintaining the overall health of our planet’s ecosystems. Protecting these wetland areas ensures that birds have a safe and stable home, and it supports a delicate balance of life that extends far beyond the avian world. As a result, preserving wetlands benefits wildlife, humans, and the environment as a whole,” the report said.
KVRK Thirunaranan, founder, of The Nature Trust opined that awareness about the importance of the wetlands should be created among the locals before giving any protection status. “The livelihood of the people living in the surroundings should also be considered,” he added.