A collective of nature lovers in Vellayani got together on Saturday to raise the issue of the migratory birds facing a threat to their existence in areas surrounding Vellayani Lake. Kerala State Biodiversity Board chairman Oommen V. Oommen inaugurated the get-together which was presided over by Kalliyoor grama panchayat president S. Udayakumar.
The meet was organised jointly by the Save Vellayani Lake campaign, Writer’s and Nature Lover’s Forum and the Kalliyoor grama panchayat.
Mr. Oommen said it was important that the Vellayani region was converted into a biodiversity heritage region.
He said that steps in this regard would be initiated at the earliest. He exhorted the residents of the area to take the initiative in preserving the region.
Mr. Udayakumar said that a study on the migratory birds as well as birds native to the region would be undertaken.
A permanent committee would be formed in February for this purpose. ‘Vellayani Lake – Intervention possibilities,’ a book for creating awareness on the need and ways to preserve the lake, prepared by the Save Vellayani Lake campaign group with the help of the Climate Change department, was released during the function.
