Wetlands News Monitor November - December 2018

TRENDING TOPICS IN THIS ISSUE:

1. News on Wetland Birds

2. Report on Turtle Conservation

3. Report on Vembanad Lake

4. Report on Ramgarh Wetland

5. News Brief on Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary

6. News on Wetland Conservation

7. News on Wetland Pollution

News brief on Wetland Birds, Vembanad Lake, Ramgarh Wetland, Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary, Wetland Conservation and Pollution.

WNM Compiled by: Dr. B. Hemambika, Ms. A. Julffia Begam, Mr. N. Mohamed Ibrahim and Dr. Goldin Quadros ENVIS Centre, Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History, Anaikatty P.O., Coimbatore – 641108, India

News on Wetland Birds

(i) The Kaliveli wetlands one of the largest in South India and a haven for thousands of migratory birds, has been facing a serious threat. Located close to Marakkanam on the East Coast Road, the Kaliveli Lake, spread over an expanse of 670 sq. km. of catchment area, is said to be one of the major wetlands on the Coromandel Coast after the Pulicat Lake. The lake is connected to the Bay of Bengal by the Uppukalli Creek and the Edayanthittu estuary and is visited for nesting by migratory birds on the Central Asian flyway. The southern part of the wetland has been a reserved land since 2001 with the prospect of a bird sanctuary coming up some day.

However, this rich ecosystem is now facing a serious threat due to changes in the dynamics and hydrology of the area, owing to a mix of anthropogenic activities including illegal shrimp farms, change in crop systems and creation of new installations for facilitating nesting of migratory birds by the Tamil Nadu Forest Department. Researchers and environmentalists said that the situation still hasn‟t reached the threshold yet and is reversible. A preliminary assessment by researchers from the Department of Ecology at the French Institute of Pondicherry (IPF) revealed that during 2017 and early 2018, the numbers of migratory and wintering birds such as pintail, eurasian teal, shoveler duck, garganey and yellow-billed duck had dwindled in Kaliveli.

Raphael Mathevet, Head of the Department of Ecology, IFP stated that it could either be a collapse of population or collapse of key wetlands on the birds‟ migratory route. If the birds are not able to reach Kaliveli, it could lead to a collapse of some populations. He added that change in pattern of mudflats due to boom in shrimp farms in the wetlands over the last five years has changed the topography of the area. There is an urgent need to assess and implement regulations. He said that researchers from the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), IFP and Pondicherry University had made several recommendations since 1980, highlighting that Kaliveli was clearly a key wetland for watering birds. But due to various reasons the recommendations have not been implemented. The declaration of Kaliveli wetlands under the Ramsar Convention is long awaited and will be a step in the right direction.

K. Ram, a naturalist of Indigenous Biodiversity Foundation (IBF) said that several bird species listed in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species were not seen in Kaliveli since 2015. The imperial eagle was last seen in 2016 while there have been no sightings of the wooly-necked stork and great thick-knee (near threatened) since 2015 and 2016 respectively.

On the verge: A warning prohibiting building of new shrimp farms close to the Kaliveli wetlands in Villupuram.

Source: The Hindu Dt.: 06 November 2018

R.S. Bhalla, Senior Fellow, Foundation for Ecological Research, Advocacy and Learning (FERAL) believed that the department has been modifying the wetland by constructing ponds and tree „islands‟ to encourage nesting of storks and large waders. He added that Kaliveli is at the bottom of a large catchment which is largely agricultural. It therefore receives runoff from cultivated areas which probably contains large quantities of nutrients. Conserving the wetland needs to include mechanisms for the removal of these nutrients. This was being done naturally by grazing and removal of reeds. These activities, however, will be stopped once the sanctuary is formally declared. He added that this may create problems in the long run.

A more immediate concern is the well intentioned efforts of the Forest Department to make the habitat more „suitable‟ for certain kinds of birds. Mr. Bhalla reported that many ponds, dykes and tree plantations in the wetlands is altering the natural habitat and will definitely impact the kinds of birds that visit the lake. When contacted, Periyannan, Forest Ranger of Kaliveli said that no shrimp farms were allowed within the boundary of the reserve forest.

Source:

 https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/puducherry/kaliveli-sees-a-sharp-drop-in-winged- visitors/article25430329.ece

(ii) Birders from across the National Capital Region (NCR) are making a beeline for wetlands near Jhajjar and Rohtak to catch a glimpse of grey plover and great crested grebe, which are the two rare migratory species that have flown in from North America and the UK, respectively. Rakesh Ahlawat, a local birder who was the first one to spot the grey plover. He said that the bird also known as black-bellied plover, is generally seen in coastal areas during winters but highly rare inland. He reported that since the news about the sighting of grey plovers spread, many birders have started flocking the wetlands here and are very excited as it has been sighted inland first time after 2016.

Source: The Times of India Dt.: 24 November 2018

Sunder Sambharya, a district forest officer stated that this bird is migrating from a distant land, had been spotted only four times in the past 20 years. He added that they spotted four birds in a water body in Dhaud village in Jhajjar during a field trip earlier this week and again spotted one bird at Subana in Jhajjar. This is the first confirmed sighting of the bird in this region this year.

Great crested grebe, a resident bird of the UK, was sighted near Dighal wetland in Jhajjar last week. Ahlawat, who first spotted the grebe stated that the grebe is known for its unique dance. Good monsoon and abundance of food in these wetlands seem to have attracted the migratory birds to this region this year.

The sightings of the rare species have prompted birders to reiterate their demand for protecting the wetlands in the region. Pankaj Gupta from Delhi Bird Foundation reported that because of increased human intervention near Dighal wetland, many migratory species are now spotted in small wetlands, spread across an area of 20 sq km, in Rohtak district. Most of these wetlands are basically in agricultural fields. Many countries provide compensation to farmers, asking them to leave their fields flooded with water and stop cultivation when migratory birds come in. He added that the authorities should immediately take similar steps to protect small wetlands.

Source:

 https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/gurgaon/rare-sightings-taking-bird-watchers-to- jhajjar-and-rohtak-wetlands/articleshow/66778591.cms

(iii) Greater flamingoes visited Hope Island after 25 years a part of the Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary in Andhra Pradesh. The long-legged and long-necked birds were last seen in a group about two and a half decades ago, while a lone flamingo was recorded in the 2016 Asian Water Bird Census at Sirra Yanam village in the East Godavari district. Shanti Priya Pandey, Chief Conservator of Forests and CEO of the East Godavari River Estuarine Ecosystem (EGREE) Foundation reported that they spotted the group during their visit to the Hope Island, where they

were conducting a routine survey of mangrove plantations. She visited Hope Island along with the Chief Conservator of Forests from Visakhapatnam, Rahul Pandey, and took pictures.

Spread over 235 sq. km., the wildlife sanctuary is an abode for about 35 species of mangrove plants and another 120 species of rare birds. In addition, 236 species of migratory birds are spotted in and around the sanctuary with over 60,000 water birds visiting the sanctuary every year. A group of greater flamingoes, however, was last seen in 1993.

Greater flamingoes that have been spotted on the Hope Island near Kakinada.

Source: The Hindu Dt.: 05 November 2018

K. Mrutyunjaya Rao, State coordinator of the Indian Bird Conservation Network stated that the sighting is an important development. Generally, the birds are always on the lookout for mudflats for nesting. He added that they should be tracked for their movement. Ms. Shanti Priya stated that Greater flamingoes are filter feeders and get their characteristic pink colour from their diet of brine shrimps and algae available in coastal wetlands. She added that the flamingoes are indicators of a healthy coastal environment.

Source:

 https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/greater- flamingoes-at-hope-island-after-25-years/article25421441.ece

(iv) The Pallikaranai marsh, which includes the Perumbakkam wetland, is home to two striking ducks: the spot-billed duck and the fulvous whistling duck. At the first scent of rain in October, four migratory ducks will start waddling in. They have already arrived. The list includes northern shoveller, northern pintail, gargeny and common teal.

Source: The Hindu Dt.: 09 November 2018

K.V.R.K. Thirunaranan, founder of The Nature Trust, which studies the birds of Pallikaranai, says that in October 2018, 101 species of birds have been accounted for. He reported that with the migratory season picking up momentum, there will be more arrivals in the

weeks to come. At the Pallikaranai marsh, 167 bird species, which include resident, migratory and woodland birds, have been identified over the years. He added that this year, pied avocet and black-tailed godwit and ruff, which are waders, have already arrived. Mr. Thirunaranan points out there are a huge presence of raptors, which according to him, illustrates the health of the marsh. He stated that there are western marsh harrier, greater-spotted eagle, Indian-spotted eagle, booted eagle, osprey and black kite.

Source:

 https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/101-bird-species-identified-at- pallikaranai-marsh/article25453528.ece

(v) Kolrampathy wetland, a tank on the outskirts of the city, has turned out to be the host for resident and migratory duck species in Coimbatore. While Vedapatty, which was famous for its wetland birds, is almost void of plants and trees leading to absence of birds, Kolrampathy wetland is still supporting the ducks.

Lesser whistling duck with its ducklings in the Kolrampathy tank on the outskirts of the city.

Source: The Hindu Dt.: 28 November 2018

During de-silting last year, more than 30% of Kolrampathy Lake was left undisturbed. This also meant that the lake bed was shallow in some areas ideally suited for ducks and water

lilies. This also naturally retained the seeds and other micro-organisms in the wetland which resulted in sustaining good number of water lilies in the tank, said Gautam Prabhakar of Osai, an NGO. He added that most of the Acacia Neurotica trees were left uncut and this (the roots) had provided good roosting place for the ducks. On a single day, six species of ducks/goose species - Lesser whistling ducks (with ducklings), Northern pintail, Northern shoveler, Garganey, Spot- billed duck and Cotton pygmy-goose were spotted. Kolrampathy currently is the only wetland that is offering a perfect habitat for ducks with abundant water lilies. Mr. Prabhakar added that the lilies had to be protected so that the ecosystem of the ducks was not destroyed.

Source:

 https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/kolrampathy-wetland- plays-host-to-six-duck-species/article25610169.ece

(vi) The Grey-headed Lapwing (Vanellus cinereus), a migratory bird that breeds in northeastern China and Japan, has been seen for the first time at the Kolleru Wildlife Sanctuary in Andhra Pradesh, a haven for waterfowl. A member of the Deccan Birders (formerly Birdwatchers Society of Andhra Pradesh) L. Premjit reported that he had photographed the bird near Penumakalanka, about 20 km from Eluru in West Godavari district. The Chinese population of Grey-headed Lapwings spends its winters in northern Southeast Asia, ranging from northeastern India to Cambodia. The Japanese population on the other hand, winters mostly in the southern island of Honshu. The species has occurred as a vagrant in Russia, the Philippines, Indonesia, New South Wales (Australia) and Sri Lanka, according to BirdLife International.

Former Assistant Conservator of Forest and an authority on Kolleru birds P. Gracious said the Forest Department and various ornithologists had listed 225 species of birds that either visited or lived in Kolleru Lake. The Azeez Committee, in a detailed report published in April 2011, listed 224 species. In January 2013, Mr. Premjit documented the Greylag Goose in the Chinthakoduru drain near Pothunuru village. Since then, 12 new species had been sighted in Kolleru Lake, but they were yet to be documented.

Source: The Hindu Dt.: 22 December 2018

The Grey-headed Lapwing is not known to the average ornithologist because it is not even mentioned in Salim Ali‟s The Book of Indian Birds. There is the briefest mention of it in the Birds of the Indian Subcontinent – A field guide by Carol Inskipp, Richard Grimmett, and Tim Inskipp. Kolleru is one of the largest freshwater lakes of India protected until its +10 contour under provisions of the Ramsar Convention for Wetlands. Like all wetlands, the lake lacks a definite boundary and has a highly irregular shoreline.

Source:

 https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-telangana/rare-chinese-visitor- spotted-at-kolleru-sanctuary/article25803717.ece

(vii) The Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus), the most widespread species in the flamingo family, is native to Africa, Asia and the Middle East. It is one of the most beautiful of bird species, is facing a serious threat due to waste being dumped in the marshes around the Najafgarh Jheel, fed by Sahibi River that used to be a vast lake in the south west of Delhi in India near the town of Najafgarh to which it has been migrating every year for the last five to six years. Earlier, flamingos were also sighted at the Sultanpur national park and the Okhla bird sanctuary. But of late, the jheel at Najafgarh has become a home for these birds, which migrate

to India from as far away as Europe and Central Asia. And not just the flamingos, the Sarus Crane and several species of stork, too, stop over here in winters. However, this marshland to Delhi‟s west, next door to Gurgaon, might no longer host these graceful birds if dumping continues unchecked.

A recent study conducted by a group of students from Ambedkar University, Delhi, discovered that food consumed by flamingos near the jheel includes insects, algae, molluscs and crustaceans has turned toxic due to pollutants entering the water. The wetland acts as a buffer zone during flash floods and, also, an important groundwater recharge zone. When TOI visited the jheel, it found flamingos struggling to walk in the swampy expanse. Plastic litter could be seen scattered across the marshes and shockingly, even industrial waste was found to be contaminating the area. Meanwhile, piles of construction and demolition waste lined the main road in Dharampur village, near the Delhi-Haryana border.

Anindita, a birder and resident of Sector 109 who had complained about the waste to the GMDA and the MCG rues that it was disheartened to see flamingos living amid mounds of waste in the marshland. While birders from across the region flock to Najafgarh Jheel to catch a glimpse of flamingos, it seems the authorities are least bothered to offer a safe habitat to the migratory bird and neither has taken any action. Many fear the birds‟ beaks can easily get entangled in the waste matter. These birds dip their bent bills and heads into the water, to suck it in and then filter the food from the water. Delhi birder Ruchika Dalal, a regular visitor to Najafgarh, recounts an unfortunate incident.

Many feel the only way to protect migratory species is to declare Najafgarh as a notified wetland. According to Pankaj Gupta of the Delhi Bird Foundation, a not-for-profit, such a step can help prevent illegal dumping of waste, and create a refuge for avian species. Gupta states that the Haryana government promised in NGT to declare Najafagarh a wetland. However, the government is not working in the plan. Unfortunately, most wetlands in Gurgaon have turned into wastelands and the poor birds are becoming victims of this. Gupta bemoan that this will not change unless the government declares Najafagarh as a wetland.

Incidentally, the Haryana government had consented, in 2016, to give a status of wetland to the jheel during the hearing of a case in the National Green Tribunal. The administration also

claimed to have started the process, and submitted a „brief document‟ on the jheel to the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change. Yet, after the Wetland Rules 2017 came into force, which regulation made it a responsibility of the state government to identify and notify wetlands, the plans were put into cold storage, leaving migratory species vulnerable.

Source:

 https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/gurgaon/flamingos-in-najafgarh-face-threat-as- garbage-piles-up-in-marshes/articleshow/67222877.cms

(viii) The world's largest inhabited riverine island of Majuli, three tanks built by Ahom kings between the 17th and 18th centuries in Sivasagar and the Panidihing Wildlife Sanctuary which all lying in the Central Asian Flyway are among the 40 wetlands the Centre has identified for special conservation measures of migratory birds. Under the National Central Asian Flyway Action Plan, the Centre has identified 20 species of birds that take migratory routes over these areas.

Union minister of state for environment, forest and climate change Mahesh Sharma informed the LokSabha in response to a question as India provides a critical stopover as well as wintering habitats to more than 370 species of migratory birds and for ensuring healthy populations of the migratory species in India within their range across the Central Asian Flyway, this National Action Plan has been developed. The Action Plan has been prepared for a period of five years. These migratory birds are found in protected as well as non-protected areas, both urban and rural areas that arrives India in two batches, winter migrants from October to April and summer migrants from March to August. Sharma added that although there is no specific assessment conducted by the ministry with respect to population of migratory birds visiting India recently, assessments by Wetlands International in the past indicated that some migratory bird showed a decreasing trend, whereas some species indicated a stable population.

The objectives of the NAP are to halt and reverse decline of migratory birds, reduce pressure on critical habitats by management based on landscape approaches, develop capacity at multiple levels to anticipate and avoid threats to habitats and species undergoing long term

decline, improve database and decision-support systems to underpin science-based conservation of species and management of habitats, sensitize stakeholders to take collaborative actions on securing habitats and species and support trans-boundary co-operation to secure migratory bird species and habitats in range countries.

Source: The Times of India Dt.: 23 December 2018

Sharma pointed out in his reply that focused protection measures involving the local communities have been taken up in Nagaland for protection of Amur Falcons that migrate to northeast India on their route to southern Africa. He added that with the coordinated efforts of the forest department, Government of Nagaland, NGO's scientific institutes and local communities, killing of Amur Falcons have become zero since 2013.

Source:

 https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/migratory-bird-conservation-plan- includes-3-assam-areas/articleshow/67214605.cms

(ix) About 5,000 migratory birds have arrived at Gharana Wetland Conservation Reserve along the International border in the outskirts of Jammu. Located about 30 km from Jammu, Gharana is surrounded by wetlands of Makwal, Kukdian, Abdullian and Pargwal where more than 170 resident and migratory bird species, such as bar-headed geese, gadwalls, common teals, purple swamp hens, Indian moor hens, black-winged stilts, cormorants, egrets and green shanks flock during the winter making it a treat for bird watchers.

Wildlife warden, Jammu, Shahzad Chowdary said that around 5,000 bar-headed geese and birds of many other species have arrived at Gharana in R S pura sector. Their number is expected to increase manifold in the coming weeks, adding all necessary measures were being taken to ensure the safety of the winged guests. He was speaking at a meeting convened by Commissioner Secretary, State Forest Department, Manoj Kumar Dwivedi here to review the status of Gharana wetland conservation reserve. An official spokesperson reported that during the meeting, Dwivedi stressed on prioritising the conservation and management issues like sewage disposal by setting up sewage treatment plant (STP), monitoring and ensuring optimum water level in the wetland. The commissioner secretary also stressed on desilting and selective deweeding for boosting eco-tourism in the area and generating livelihood opportunities for the communities and stakeholders.

Regional wildlife warden, Jammu region, Tahir Shawl said the management action plan of Gharana wetland is in final stage of completion. Shawl added that the provision for STP has been incorporated in the management plan. Gharana, located along the Central Asian Flyway, is a notified wetland conservation reserve under the Jammu and Kashmir Wildlife Protection Act, 1978. It has international recognition as one of the Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in the world, declared by BirdLife International (UK) and Bombay Natural History Society.

Source:

 https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jammu/around-5000-migratory-birds-flock-in- gharana-wetland-in-jammu/articleshow/67021451.cms

Report on Turtle Conservation

The turtle survival alliance (TSA) has recommended a project to the tunes of Rs 1.05 crore for the setting up of conservation and an interpretation centre on the lines of Fulhar Lake, an artesian spring reservoir and stressed on the capacity building of local stakeholders. In its report submitted to district magistrate Akhilesh Kumar Mishra, TSA also suggests assessment of wetland biodiversity in and around Pilibhit tiger reserve (PTR) for turtle conservation.

Meanwhile, DM sent a letter to the principal secretary, Uttar Pradesh Forest Department, urging him to allocate the fund. TSA‟s India program director Dr. Shailendra Singh reported that the project draft was devised by TSA in response to district magistrate Akhilesh Kumar Mishra‟s letter of requisition sent to him on July 30th. Underlining the importance of the project, TSA‟s India programme director Dr. Shailendra Singh reported that Pilibhit district is surrounded by the Tarai Arc Land (TAL) of the Himalayan foothills and comprised of more than 600 small wetlands, 10 rivers and some giant reservoirs, including 22-km long ShardaSagar dam. Most importantly, Devha and Sharda rivers and their tributaries, which are inundated and change their courses during monsoon every year, form number of temporary alluvial islands with thick layers of filamentous benthic algae. This significantly helps in sustenance of wide-ranging of fish and turtles in the area.

Singh stated that shrinking wetlands are one of the most endangered ecosystems across the country, poaching and illegal trade together pose a great threat to turtles survival, thus a project aimed at the protection and conservation of turtles is urgently needed here. Pilibhit has the presence of over a dozen of turtle species where many of them are endangered. Besides, the project will also help reduce the mortality rate, as these aquatic animals will be under constant observation of the experts.

Singh added about the importance of an interpretation centre. He said that it is an integral part of the project. It is aimed at creating awareness among local stakeholders about the conservation plans, educating them about their importance, and building their capacity. The project cannot be successful without active participation and cooperation of the locals who live in the surrounding areas of the wetlands.

TSA will supervise and provide technical and scientific expertise to the project and the district administration will manage funds from both the state and the Centre. The forest department, however, is needed to grant timely permission to carryout different activities in the tiger-reserve regions. Confirming that he had sent a letter seeking the requisite fund, DM stated that with this project, the district will emerge as an important destination for aquatic research and eco-tourism. Singh added that the initial project period will be of three years, after that TSA will take it over.

Source:

 https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bareilly/project-aimed-at-turtle-conservation- wetland-assessment-in-pilibhit-proposed/articleshow/66778015.cms

Report on Vembanad Lake

Vembanad Lake is the most visited wetland in the state of Kerala. It provides recreational ecosystem services worth more than Rs. 700 crore, finds a new study by scientists from the Kerala State Pollution Control Board (PCB) and Israel‟s University of Haifa. The study estimates that an improvement in water quality to a level that supports fish and wildlife well could bring an annual increase of Rs. 26 crore from domestic tourists alone, aiding not just tourism but local livelihoods too. For the study, published in the November issue of Science of the Total Environment, researchers assessed, valued, and mapped recreational benefits (one of the several ecosystem services) that Vembanad Lake and almost 80 wetlands around it provide to tourists.

For this, they used a novel crowdsourcing tool: 4,328 geo-tagged photographs uploaded by Vembanad visitors on Flickr, a social photo-sharing site. Based on these, the researchers predicted where the visitors came from and developed models to estimate the average value of each visit. By combining this with predictions of visit frequencies from the Flickr photographs, they found that on an average, a visit to Vembanad was worth between Rs. 2,227 and Rs. 3,953 to domestic tourism. Currently, the annual domestic recreation benefits amount to between Rs. 753 crore and 1,337 crore, despite the water quality in Vembanad Lake being in Category 6 or „Below-E‟ (the least quality, as per the Central Pollution Control Board‟s water quality criteria).

By increasing the quality to Category 4 or „D‟ or better (ideal to support fish and wildlife), the study estimates an increase of Rs. 26 crore annually in recreation benefits. Similarly, restoring 7% of the lake‟s area lost to encroachment since the 1970s could increase annual benefits by almost Rs. 5 crore. The lead author of the study and doctoral scholar Michael Sinclair (University of Haifa, Israel) reported that compiling the PCB water-and-air-quality data for the project that included more than 80 wetlands paints a “worrying picture of deterioration”.

Source: The Hindu Dt.: 11 November 2018

Sinclair elaborated that to reduce water pollution, the Constructed Wetland (CW) technique which is commonly used in developed countries to treat wastewater was highly recommended. Unlike a piped, common sewage system, the CW technique is decentralised and involves installing small units to treat water from a maximum of 10-15 households. A.M. Sheela, chief environmental engineer at the PCB in Thiruvananthapuram and co-author of the study explained that eliminating underground pipes this way decreased 80% costs; the system did not have operational costs, unlike conventional treatment facilities. She added that in Kerala, contamination of water resources is mainly owing to sewage and sullage from homes and other establishments. Therefore, treating this sewage properly is the need of the hour.

The research is part of a 3-year international project titled „Ecosystem service assessment and mapping for sustainable management of wetlands in Kerala, India‟, conducted in partnership with Israeli and Indian institutions and jointly funded by the UGC in India and the Israel Science Foundation.

Source:

 https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/vembanads-recreational- benefits-worth-more-than-rs-700-crore/article25466964.ece

Report on Ramgarh Wetland

For the first time, Uttar Pradesh has started notifying its wetlands lying outside the forest area and bird sanctuaries and declaring them as „protected‟ wetlands. The Ramgarh Taal in Gorakhpur has become the first notified and „protected‟ wetland in the country which lies outside forest, and within city limits. UP have about 1.2 lakh wetlands that lie outside forest and around 500 that lie within. After being declared a „protected‟ wetland, efforts have started to conserve the 684 hectare water body. Mr. R. Hemanth Kumar, additional principal chief conservator of forests (APCCF), Gorakhpur reported that the second process after notifying it as protected is to prohibit and restrict activities that are threatening to it in nature.

There will be sewage treatment plants, incinerators and mechanism to segregate solid waste to reduce pollution in the wetland. It will also get excess and exclusive funds for management. In a similar exercise, at least 18 more wetlands outside forest and protected areas will be notified and declared as „protected‟. Two wetlands lying in each of the nine agro-climatic zones in the state would be chosen in the first phase.

According to national wetland atlas that is based on satellite data, out of 1.2 lakh wetlands in UP at least 23,800 are more than 2.2 hectare in area and need conservation. Bivash Ranjan, APCCF, Eastern Zone, UP stated that When they go by revenue records, they have at least 26,000 wetlands that are bigger than 2.2 hectare. The conservation effort will also involve developing unite between people and wetlands like promoting eco-tourism, fisheries and other economic activities.

Source:

 https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/ramgarh-taal-notified-as-ups-1st- protected-wetland/articleshow/66873271.cms

News Brief on Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary

(i) The only Ramsar site in Tamil Nadu, Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary, a mix of salt swamps, mangroves, backwaters, mudflats, grasslands and tropical dry evergreen forest, presents a picture of concern for bird lovers. The site is spread over 38,500 hectares. With habitats ranging from swamp to dry evergreen forests, it is a haven for migratory birds and resident species. A total of 257 species of birds have been recorded, including 119 water birds. During peak season, it is home to over four lakh birds.

K. Balachandran, Senior Scientist, Bombay Natural History Society stated with concern in reality, the few thousand acres at Kodiakarai that actually constitute the core bird habitat do not belong to the Forest Department. Set up in 1982, the Vijayaraghavan Committee recommended handing over of 25,544.47 acres, including unsurveyed swamp and land leased to a private chemical industry, to the Forest Department so that it could be maintained as an exclusive water birds habitat. But the Forest Department is yet to be entrusted with 20,000 acres. The Revenue Department has 5,544.47 acres. Sources said that it will soon hand this parcel over to the Defence Ministry for setting up an airbase. The Forest Department has objected to the proposal since an airbase at the Ramsar site will obstruct the flyway of the migratory birds to the wetlands. Naga Sathish Gidijala, Wildlife Warden reported that the birds return to places as far as Siberia after the breeding season.

Source:

 https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/flying-into-a-danger- zone/article25415098.ece

(ii) Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary in Vedaranyam Range has been closed for a week in view of water-logging caused by a heavy spell of rainfall. Vedaranyam taluk recorded substantial rainfall on three consecutive days in November month: 51 mm on November 1, 152.60 mm rainfall on November 2, and 50.40 mm on November 3. The water-logged path inside the sanctuary to a length of over six kilometres, the only option for vehicle-bound tourists to take a look at the sanctuary, has turned unmotorable.

The Forest Department thought it fit to close the sanctuary for a week with effect from 05th November 2018 as a pre-emptive measure to inform tourists in advance to keep away from the spot for Deepavali holidays. The sanctuary was kept closed last time a year back due to a similar situation. This time around, the meteorological prediction of inclement weather for the next few days has also influenced the Forest department's decision to keep the sanctuary closed. Nagapattinam District Wildlife Warden Naga Sathish Gidijala said that there is a possibility of the wheels of vehicles getting stuck in the muddy path. Regular visitors have understandably impressed upon the Forest department the need to re-lay the road inside the sanctuary that is spread over 1,728.81 hectares.

A waterlogged Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary in Vedaranyam

Source: The Hindu Dt.: 06 November 2018

Blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra) is the flagship species of the sanctuary. Other important animals are the spotted deer, black-napped hare, wild boar, Indian jackal, feral horses, palm civet, short-nosed fruit bat, jungle cat and monitor lizard. The sanctuary that harbours the single- largest stretch of the unique dry-evergreen forest in the country besides open grasslands and tidal mudflats is of interest to tourists not only for its fauna, but also the presence of 364 flowering plants including 198 medicinal plants. Point Calimere is the spot inside the sanctuary where the coast takes a 90 degree turn from the Bay of Bengal towards Palk Strait. The sanctuary and the surrounding wetlands are important wintering grounds for water birds from the North. Around

100 species of birds including the Greater Flamingo, Painted Stork, Little Sting, Sea Gull and Brown-headed gull have been making their presence felt since September.

Source:

 https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/wildlife-sanctuary- closed-for-a-week-due-to-water-logging/article25431554.ece

News on Wetland Conservation

(i) In an effort to keep precious wetlands free of „development‟, the government will soon accord „priority‟ tag to 141 such water bodies in the state including the Pallikaranai marsh and two others in the city. Coimbatore-based Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural history (SACON), tasked with preparing a report on the area, flora, fauna, biodiversity and ecological importance of each water body, submitted the second phase of the report to the State Wetland Authority. While 80 wetlands will be notified in the first phase, 61 will be notified in phase 2 and the final report is likely to be submitted in a few months. The state government has allocated Rs. 50 lakh for the study.

State Wetland Authority member secretary M Jayanthi said they were reconstituting and framing rules based on the wetlands (conservation and management) rules, 2017. She added that they will complete it in a month as it has to be ratified by the Centre as well. Once that is done, the report will be presented to the authority and corrections will be made. Then, wetlands will be notified as priority wetlands. They will also select experts who will be part of the authority.

While no development can take place in a „priority‟ wetland without the authority‟s nod, „zones of influence‟ where limited activities will be allowed will be marked out after consultations with all stakeholders. The authority will also evaluate each wetland in terms of its ecological services to help policymakers. Based on a public interest litigation filed in the Supreme Court in 2001 by Mr. M. K. Balakrishnan and others, the Centre directed states to set up wetland authorities and Wetlands (conservation and management) rules, 2017 were framed. More than a year later, experts said that the authority in TN was still not fully functional.

While forest officials said the priority tag affixed to a wetland would help initiate legal action against violators, environmentalists working on the Pallikaranai marsh said the water body was already covered in various rings of protection and needed little else. An environmentalist reported that unless the land designation is changed from wasteland to wetland, any rule or act will not help in conservation.

Source:

 https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/141-tamil-nadu-wetlands-to-get-priority- tag/articleshow/66563905.cms

(ii) Though India is a signatory to the Ramsar Convention on conservation of wetlands, over four decades on, little has been done to proactively save the wetlands in Tamil Nadu. The Madras High Court has decided to step in to ensure the unique ecosystems survive by saving hundreds of wetlands from extinction, considered a vital part of the hydrological cycle and highly productive ecosystems that support rich biodiversity.

Apart from storing and purifying water, mitigating floods, controlling erosion, recharging aquifers and regulating microclimate, wetlands also play a significant role in aesthetic enhancement of landscapes. Despite such benefits, the lands remain threatened due to a variety of reasons including reclamation, degradation through drainage, landfills, discharge of industrial effluents, disposal of solid wastes and encroachments. It was to address these issues at a global level that the United Nations member nations adopted an intergovernmental treaty at the Iranian city of Ramsar in 1971 for conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.

India is a signatory to the convention which came into force in the country in 1982. In 2001, advocate Mr. M.K. Balakrishnan filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court against the Centre and all State governments in the country for having failed to conserve wetlands. After repeated adjournments granted for filing of counter affidavits by the State governments, the case took a completely different turn in 2009 when a Bench led by Justice Markandey Katju expanded its scope. The Bench directed the Union Ministry of Science and Technology to constitute a body

of eminent scientists to solve the general problem of water scarcity in the country. The direction gave birth to the Technology Mission: WAR for Water.

Source: The Hindu Dt.: 03 November 2018

Chaired by the Secretary to the Ministry, the committee named Technology Mission: Winning, Augmentation and Renovation (WAR) for Water did extensive research on augmenting water sources and submitted several reports to the court. However, after Justice Katju retired from service in 2011, the focus of the case was shifted exclusively towards preservation of wetlands with the Supreme Court on April 3, 2017 requesting the High Courts of various States to step into the issue. The High Courts were asked to take up suomotu public interest litigation petitions to ensure that Ramsar Convention sites within their jurisdiction were maintained properly. It was suggested that amicus curiae could also be appointed if necessary.

Source:

 https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/saving-wetlands-from-extinction- tamil-nadu/article25415036.ece

(iii) Since July 2017, when the Coimbatore Corporation declared it as Urban Biodiversity Conservation Zone for its rich flora and fauna, conservation activities at Singanallur Tank is touted as a model to be followed in other water bodies associated with Noyyal river system in the district. The tank in Coimbatore, sprawling on 288 acres, bagged the biodiversity tag through

consistent conservation efforts by the Centre for Urban Biodiversity Conservation and Education (CUBE), a voluntary organisation, backed by the civic body and Forest Department.

Around 750, including 170 species of birds, 400 species of plants, and 70 species of butterflies were recorded by local researchers in and around the tank. Considering its biodiversity richness, a team of experts conducted an exploratory study in September 2018 to document birds, plants, insects, reptiles and aquatic species that are home to the tank. CUBE is currently conducting nature trail for school students to educate them on the importance of biodiversity and conservation. While fishing has been reduced in the tank, Hindu organisations and political parties have agreed to abstain from immersion of Vinayaka idols in the water body.

The Ukkadam Big Tank that was beautified by the Coimbatore Corporation by constructing retaining wall and walkers‟ path. Photo Credit: S. Siva Saravanan

Source: The Hindu Dt.: 09 November 2018

Of the 28 tanks that are part of the Noyyal system including Singanallur Tank, many are seeing signs of revival through efforts of environmental NGOs. According to people associated with these NGOs and reclamation of the Noyyal, dumping of wastes into canals that connect the river to water bodies and pollution are dangers lurking at tanks in Coimbatore.

In Coimbatore city, the corporation that has eight tanks under its maintenance has just started implementing projects where the financial support was provided from the Government of India under the Smart Cities Mission. The civic body took control of the tanks from the Public Works Department in 2010 to develop these under the then Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission. But it could not take it forward following objections from environmentalists, who said the project was aimed at monetising the water bodies by turning them into tourist spots. The corporation again mooted the lake development project in 2016, this time under the Smart Cities Mission. It secured approval from the Central and State governments.

Officials say the corporation would clean the water flowing into the tanks through natural treatment mechanism, beautify the bunds, and construct recreation facilities so that they were turned into places of public congregation. The Rs. 200 crore-plus project also includes dredging the tanks, strengthening the bunds, de-weeding and improving the connectivity among the tanks. As part of the project, the corporation had begun relocating people who had encroached upon the tanks to the Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board tenements. The flipside of the project, however, is that the civic body has the control of only the tanks and not the channels that convey water. The task of maintaining the channels still rests with the PWD. Environmentalists have argued that unless the channels are also cleaned and developed, the sewage flow into the channels would continue. The official‟s content the chances of sewage flowing into the channels were few because the underground drainage system that would soon be operational would take care of the sewage.

In Erode district, the Vellode Bird Sanctuary spread across 77.185 hectares is one of the main wetlands and it is home to both domestic and foreign birds during the season from November to March every year. The wetland comprises the 75.93 hectare Periyakulam Lake and 1.25 hectare Odai and is home to flora, fish, and reptiles. The main source of water for the lake is the rain and the seepage water from the Lower Bhavani Project (LBP) canal. Over 115 bird species were recorded in the past years in the sanctuary. Due to poor monsoon, the lake did not receive adequate water in the past year resulting in the birds not turning up for the season. Mr. K. Ravindran, president, Nature Society of Tirupur, said that a large number of inland birds arrive regularly and adequate water should be available in the lake. Erode District Forest Officer Vismiji Viswanathan reported that works to the tune of Rs. 4.90 crore, including deepening the

lake, strengthening the existing bunds, and creation of new bunds were being carried out with funding from the Department of Environment, Government of Tamil Nadu. He added that phase one works are in progress and other works will begin soon. The district administration had earlier written to the State government to draw water from the canal to the lake so that it gets filled up during the season. However, no action has been taken so far.

Source:

 https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Coimbatore/when-focus-shifts-to-conservation-of- wetlands/article25450569.ece

News on Wetland Pollution

Fresh appeal made to save Uran wetlands to the Konkan divisional commissioner and others even as reclamation of land continued without any respite during the Diwali vacation. There are three spots mainly where debris dumping and reclamation is going on in full swing – DastaanPhata-Jasai and two Cidco holding ponds in Dronagiri. Environmentalists stated that an accumulated 776 hectares (250 hectares at Dastaan, 289 hectares near holding pond I at Panje and 237 hectares near holding pond-II near coastal road) of wetland areas is in danger.

Activist Nandkumar Pawar, who has again written to the authorities appealing them to check wetland reclamation at the earliest reported that they thank the Konkan divisional commissioner for agreeing to take up this issue. But reclamation has been going on even during the Diwali holidays. Pawar has posted pictures and videos on the CM‟s Facebook page apart from tweeting to CMO Maharashtra. A portion of wetlands at Tejipada near Shanteshwari temple is also under threat from the debris mafia. Pawar who heads NGO Shree Ekvira Aai Pratishtan (SEAP) added that Cidco has been blaming villagers for destruction of mangroves but this doesn‟t make sense. The villagers might dump construction waste but not truckloads of soil. Cidco nodal officer for environment and forest said that they have issued notices to the grampanchayat heads to stop dumping debris and garbage near the holding pond in Dronagiri.

Source: The Times of India Dt.: 27 December 2018

Due to Diwali vacation they could not initiate action against the miscreants and will start surveillance soon and soon remove the debris. More than 500 hectares of mangroves have been destroyed for the two holding ponds created by Cidco – one near the proposed coastal road and the second for NMSEZ. Pawar has been opposing Cidco‟s idea of creating holding ponds. The fishermen know there has been no flooding in the area for over 100 years and yet the authorities want to develop anti-flooding mechanisms by erecting sluice gates and blocking sea water‟s flow which is essential for the survival of mangroves. The activists have also questioned the logic behind developing a new SEZ at a time when a reclaimed land parcel for NMSEZ is available but no development work has yet been carried out here.

Source:

 https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/navi-mumbai/fresh-appeal-made-to-save-uran- wetlands/articleshow/66596322.cms  https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/navi-mumbai/its-official-4500-mangrove-trees- destroyed-in-uran-this-year/articleshow/67265204.cms  https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/navi-mumbai/this-month-53-trucks-caught- dumping-debris/articleshow/67265217.cms