Andhra Pradesh continues to be a paradise for the winged guests as local communities stick to their unwritten promise of ensuring their safety during their annual sojourn to the Important Bird Areas (IBA), wetlands, and lakes.

Utmost care

Whether it is the Nowpada swamp in Srikakulam district or the Kolleru Lake, flocks of migratory birds can be sighted across the State round the year, thanks to the utmost care being taken by the local communities, mostly fisher folk.

Marking the World Migratory Bird Day, observed during the second weekend in May, it is a question of pride to note that Kolleru, Asia’s biggest freshwater lake, alone is home to at least one hundred species of migratory birds, according to the report of the Dr. P.A. Azeez Committee (2011).

Dr. Azeez was then Director of the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History, Coimbatore.

“In all, 41 species of birds, including teals, yellow wagtail, and rosy pastors, sighted in the Kolleru Lake, cross the international border to migrate from the Palearctic region to Andhra Pradesh. These birds migrate to the Kolleru for feeding and breeding,” expert on Kolleru Lake P. Gratious told The Hindu . Birds such as painted stork, open bill stork, and grey pelican migrate within the country and can be sighted in the State during their annual breeding season, monsoon, and winter.

The Palearctic or Palaearctic eco-region comprises Europe, Asia, North of the Himalaya foothills, northern Africa, and northern and central parts of the Arabian Peninsula.

“The birds migrate to Andhra Pradesh for two reasons — breeding and feeding. The number of birds that migrate within the country to Andhra Pradesh is significantly high compared to those migrating from the Palearctic eco-region,” said Mr. Gratious.

Ironically, the wildlife authorities of Andhra Pradesh are yet to gear up to observe the World Migratory Bird Day because of lack of seriousness to intensify the campaign to conserve the birds.