Ruining the ecology of Hesaraghatta Lake - the role of bird photographers
Seshadri KS, Krishna MB, Shashank Balakrishna, Sunil Kumar M, Prabhakar BS, Nitin R, Kishan SB, Vinay KS, Gautham GS, Venkat Narayan, Sushant Potdar, Piyush Daga, Pawan Kumar T. Email addresses at the end.
February 2013 Ruining the ecology of Hesaraghatta lake: the role of bird photographers. Page 2
extensive network of vehicle tracks amounting well). While we suggest several methods to Summary to about 43 km exist in the lake area. mitigate the impacts of this unregulated mode Activities such as bird and wildlife viewing, bird About 136 ha of habitat was either lost or dis- of operation, we believe that self regulation is photography, hiking and nature trails appear turbed because of vehicle movement and on the best way forward (even though it has had benign but an increasing body of evidence an average, 20 vehicles were found to be pur- limited success in the past) for the habitat, life- suggests otherwise. While there are several suing birds on weekends and holidays. forms and for photographers. The findings positive aspects for visitors and tourists, there Several incidents where unethical means such from this study are widely applicable to nature is usually little benefit to the habitat from such as chasing the bird till it is tired and reluctant tourism, eco tourism and other recreational recreation. Assessing and documenting the to fly were being used to photograph birds, activities in natural areas as well. impacts visitors may have on the ecology of especially the rare, vagrant and migrant birds the habitat is among the fundamental premis- (including the Red Data Book [19] species as es and challenges in the emerging branch of science termed as ‘Recreational Ecology’ Here, a rapid assessment of the impacts caused by nature photographers driving on the dry Hesaraghatta lake bed has been attempted. Results indicate that a wide and
An exhausted Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) being photographed Ruining the ecology of Hesaraghatta lake: the role of bird photographers. Page 3
The Problem: This mode of photography dam- generated several discussions and sugges- Introduction ages the habitat that the birds live in, rather tions such as withholding location information, Nature awareness, affordability of binoculars, than the bird directly. The situation in public shaming and self regulation were made cameras, digital technology and vehicles has Hesaraghatta lake area has aggravated with [1]. However, the problem continues with more increased participation in nature related activi- the occurrence of rare birds like the European photographers in the fray. This study aims to ties. However, increased human presence in Roller or the Pied Harrier, being chased and assess the damage caused by off road driving wilderness areas is damaging the habitat and cornered by 15-20 photographers till it is tired. for photography on the ecology of the adversely affecting ecological processes. In This problem has persisted for over four years Hesaraghatta lake. Bangalore, many nature enthusiasts and pho- since it was first highlighted in 2009 [1]. This tographers visit natural areas often, especially on weekends and holidays to photograph win- ter migrant birds (September-April). Hesaraghatta lake is one such place. Use of vehicles for photography is becoming increas- ingly common. This is because birds in gener- al, are far more tolerant to people in vehicles than on foot. Ruining the ecology of Hesaraghatta lake: the role of bird photographers. Page 4
Study Site: Hesaraghatta lake is located about tions and is currently a grassland-savannah- mimosoides, Cassia siamea, Tephrosia, Sida, 30 km North West of Bangalore and is under woodland complex [following 4]. The centre of Altenanthera, Celosia, Stachytarpeta indica, the Minor Irrigation Department of the the lake has more open grasslands while the Parthenium hysterophorous, Acacia leu- Government of Karnataka. This lake was once woodland component increases towards the cophloea, other Acacia species, Calotropis an important source of water supply to periphery. Apart from various species of grass- gigantia, Lantana camara and Eupatorium are Bangalore and is therefore of historical impor- es, aquatic and terrestrial plants like Typha, found there. tance. The total area of Hesaraghatta lake bed Ipomea, Sonchus emilifolia,Cassia is about 744 ha (1912 acres) and the water spread area in August 2009 was about 400 ha (or 980 acres). However, in recent years, the lake has been essentially dry. The Vegetation: The lake bed vegetation is in transition. From being a true aquatic commu- nity, the vegetation in the lake bed is undergo- ing a process of ‘Ecological Succession’ [fol- lowing 2, 3]. It shows in various parts, different ‘Seral’ stages of terrestrial vegetation forma- Ruining the ecology of Hesaraghatta lake: the role of bird photographers. Page 5
Birdlife: When the lake had water, many open macrourus), Pied Harrier (Circus melanoleu- is dry except for a puddle and none of the water dependent migrants such as the cos) and Montagu’s Harrier (Circus pygargus) water birds other than egrets are found. Northern Shoveller (Anas clypeata), Northern are known to roost in this area. Several eagles Pintail (Anas acuta) and Garganey (Anas like Short-toed Snake Eagle (Circaetus galli- querquedula) would inhabit the lake. Among cus), White-eyed Buzzard (Butastur teesa), the shorebirds, several waders like Common Lesser Spotted Eagle (Aquila pomarina), Redshank (Tringa totanus), Common Greater Spotted Eagle (Aquila clanga), Tawny Greenshank (Tringa nebularia), Wood Eagle (Aquila rapax) are also found here. Sandpiper (Tringa glareola), Common These eagles usually prefer perches on tree- Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos), Black-winged tops or on termite mounds. Several smaller Stilt (Himantopus himantopus), Little Ringed falcons like Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni), Plover (Charadrius dubius) were also found Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus), Red- there. headed Falcon (Falco chicquera) are known to With the drying of the lake, only birds which frequent the area. Also found are the Indian prefer the grassland or marginal wetlands Peafowl, cuckoos, wren-warblers, pipits, larks, come here. The Western Marsh Harrier drongos, and bush-chats which are seldom (Circus aeruginosus), Pallid Harrier (Circus pursued by photographers. Currently, the lake
Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus), a frequently sought after species by photographers, on an Acacia tree. Ruining the ecology of Hesaraghatta lake: the role of bird photographers. Page 6
lake were recorded. Photographers entering in the study area. Tracks were first mapped Methods the study area in four and two wheelers were with a GPS receiver. Subsequently, tracks visi- Vehicle counts: The number of vehicles active counted on four days (one Saturday and three ble on Google Earth® (latest available satellite in the study area was counted by at least Sundays). Weekends were chosen as the images as of September 2012) were also digi- three observers, located in a position to view numbers of photographers are high on these tized and added. The survey teams walked, the entire lake bed from morning to noon. On days. excepting a one-time two wheeler ride to esti- two occasions, vehicle counts were also Vegetation damage assessment: The damage mate track length. The vehicles which they obtained in the evening. The type of vehicle, to vegetation was estimated by measuring the used to reach the lake bed were also time of first detection and time of exit from the length and width all the existing vehicle tracks included.
This rapid assessment of habitat damage had two objectives: Determine the extent of vehicular usage in the lake area, in terms of vehicle counts and measurement of the result- ing track length. Estimate the trampling impact on vege- tation due to vehicles. Ruining the ecology of Hesaraghatta lake: the role of bird photographers. Page 7
Damage to vegetation on the vehicle tracks (used both JR Screen Ruler and Ruler by Jeff was assessed using randomly placed rope- Key) was overlaid on the tape in the photo- line transects [5] across existing tracks. In this graph. improvised method, two persons held a stan- The pixel length of the tape was measured dard 6 m. tape across the track at the height between the thumbs of two individuals holding of the vegetation, which was photographed by it. The distance between the thumbs was a third person on the centre of the track and maintained at 6 m. perpendicular to the tape. This was carried out at 77 random points on the tracks. The loca- The fully damaged (A), partially damaged (B) tion details and corresponding photograph and not damaged (C) parts of the track were numbers were recorded for analysis. The measured using the pixel ruler. absolute width of the track was determined The width of the damaged track was deter- from the photographs using the procedure mined by considering the relative proportions described next. of the tape and the track on the photograph. Analyis of photographs: The track photograph considered for measurement was opened on a computer and a screen pixel measuring tool
C AAB Ruining the ecology of Hesaraghatta lake: the role of bird photographers. Page 8
Vegetation damage frequency: As a parallel check, a frequency based assessment for each image was made at 30 regular points . on the photograph using the pixel ruler. The vegetation damage for each point was noted. The points were tabulated as “Not Damaged” (C), “Partially Damaged” (B) and “Fully Damaged” (A), based on the flattening of veg- etation, appearance of bare patches and C cracks on the dry ground. Of the 30 equally spaced points, equivalent to being 20 cm apart on the rope transect used to estimate the width of the track, most points fell on un-damaged vegetation. This graph is to show that the length of the rope transect B A chosen was adequate and wide enough to sample the width of the damaged track. Ruining the ecology of Hesaraghatta lake: the role of bird photographers. Page 9
The average time duration spent by each vehi- Results cle pursuing the birds was 3.5 hrs. However, a Vehicular movement: A total of 71 four wheel- few vehicles were present from 0600 to 1800 ers (cars and SUVs), a three-wheeler and six hrs, with a break between 1200 and1400 hrs. two-wheelers were counted on four days. This Each vehicle was observed to drive at least averaged to 20 vehicles per day. The highest five times in the entire study area. Some of number of four wheelers, 26, was counted on these vehicles were driven at visually estimat- a day that had a rare bird sighting (The ed speeds of 40-50 kmph to get to a perching European Roller Coracias garrulus). The vehi- bird which was then stalked carefully at cles were seen approaching the bird and fol- speeds less than 10-20 kmph. Most individu- lowing it relentlessly as it flushed from one als photographed from vehicles while a few open perch to another. Incidentally, the bird got down from the car and crawled to has been listed as “Vulnerable” in the Red List approach a bird. Whenever a vehicle stopped published by the International Union for near a bird, about 4-5 vehicles converged on Conservation of Nature and Natural to the spot and circled around. If the bird Resources (IUCN) [19]. flushed, there would be a frenzy to reach the bird again first.
The network of tracks which exists today in brown; water spread of August 2009 in blue Ruining the ecology of Hesaraghatta lake: the role of bird photographers. Page 10
Vehicle Track Length: The total track length were more extensive near and around trees or Vegetation loss: Effects of moving vehicles was about 43 km, including existing pathways. shrubs on which birds perch. The vehicle were measured on photographs of 77 sample Photographers’ contribution to the track length borne photographers locate a bird on such a points spread randomly across the tracks. The was estimated to be about 25 km. This was perch, drive cautiously towards it, inching as average damage to vegetation (partially dam- deduced from interactions with local people close to the bird as possible. On a particular aged and fully damaged) was 27%. This esti- and by field observations. day, ten vehicles were found to encircle a mate is of the width of the fully exposed Much of the tracks seen on Google Earth® perch in a period of about five hours. The ground plus the partially damaged shoulder imagery and in the field today are post 2010 radius of such circles was 10-15 m. Birds nor- and inter-track space. Therefore, for a 6 m. as the study site was marshy till then. There mally fly away from an approaching vehicle. sample width, an average of 27% damage were both arterial tracks and their branches. However, on several occasions, when vehicles amounts to 1.62 m. This means that every The total track length measured in this survey approached a Common Kestrel close, the bird time a vehicle drives over natural vegetation, is an underestimate because several lesser ran to avoid the photographers rather than fly- an average swath of 1.62 m. is damaged or used branches were not considered for the ing. We believe that this avoidance behaviour lost. measurement. Most photographers enter the was not because the bird was too lazy to fly Multiplying this value with the total track length study area on one or two tracks but then but it was too tired to fly. It is likely that other of 43 km results in an area of 7 ha (17 acres). branch off depending on where the birds are. vehicles had pursued the bird earlier and it 17.6 km of tracks were found on the erstwhile It was also observed that the vehicle tracks had little energy left. water spread area of 400 ha. Ruining the ecology of Hesaraghatta lake: the role of bird photographers. Page 11
Highlights Total area of lake bed: 744 ha Waterspread area in August 2009: 400 ha Average number of vehicles per day: 20 Average time spent chasing birds: 3.5 hrs Number of sampling points: 77 Rope transect length: 6 m Mean width of track: 1.62 m (±0.16 SE) Total length of tracks: 43 km Total length of tracks on ex-waterspread area: 17.65 km Flushing distance: 15 m Road effect zone in area: 136 ha
Tracks of different usage intensities visible on Google Earth or Google Maps for the Hesaraghatta lake bed Ruining the ecology of Hesaraghatta lake: the role of bird photographers. Page 12
Discussion Disturbance: Moving vehicles damage habitats. to deposition of soil particles on foliage resulting Studies elsewhere have shown that the vegeta- Vegetation: The visible irreversible impacts on in reduced photosynthesis and thereby growth. tion height along the road shoulders reduced vegetation include flattening and breakage of Fauna: Damage to animals is observable. Birds, with increasing vehicle movement. Trampling standing stalks especially if woody, crushing of invertebrates, amphibians and reptiles are likely leads to changes in vegetational composition foliage, destruction of floral parts, prevention of to be run over by vehicles. Damage is com- and structure. Off-road driving causes exten- regeneration either by seed and seedling dam- pounded as several ground nesting birds loose sive crushing of vegetation and it has been age. Such damages result in reduction of species their nests and young ones. diversity and facilitate an explosive spread of estimated that a standard car on hard ground ecologically dominant species, usually weeds. Long term impacts: may extend to reduction in exerts 1500 g/cm2 of pressure as compared to complexity of food webs and imbalance in food Soil: Repeated vehicular movement affects soil 206 g/cm2 for an average sized human male chains. (For example: loss of ground vegetation > variously, top-soil damage being visually promi- reduction in abundance of grasshoppers > reduc- or 160 g/cm 2 for an average sized human nent. Soil compaction, caking and cracking, tion in prey base for insect feeding birds). female walking on hard ground [6]. Apart from change in textural class, breaking of soil aggre- affecting vegetation, trampling and driving also gates together contributing to reduced water The possibility of the dried up grass catching fire destroy the nests of ground nesting birds like retention and percolation. Different levels of soil and spreading due to increased human activity is the Skylarks, pipits, and lapwings, to name a erosion (surface creep and suspension) may lead not ruled out either [following 10]. few. Ruining the ecology of Hesaraghatta lake: the role of bird photographers. Page 13
The impact of such pressure causes proportion- about 75 percent destruction should be al loss or compression of vegetation, prevent- caused every migratory bird season. ing regeneration and soil compaction. Plant succession: The long term damage to Assuming that each vehicle drives atleast five vegetation and ecological processes is some- times on the lakebed, then 20 vehicles on one thing which is not apparent at first look. weekend day could drive over any point a 100 Bangalore falls in the Tropical Dry Deciduous times. Extrapolating this to 42 weekend days Bioclimatic zone [8]. As mentioned earlier, between October and February where migrant grassland-savanna habitats in a tropical dry- birds are plenty, we get 4200 passes on every deciduous bio-climatic zone are habitats in track. Elaborate experiments elsewhere have flux. Left alone, it can be expected that such shown that vehicles cause more crushing/ habitats will tend to grow into dry-deciduous trampling than walkers and anywhere up to forests by a process of ecological succession 1828 passes will reduce the vegetation cover [9]. The damage to vegetation will affect this and biomass by 50 percent depending on the ecological process. If in the event of water area, terrain, etc [6]. The end result of vegeta- flowing in again, grass would get inundated tional cover loss is analogous to calculating but trees have a good chance of surviving half life. Assuming the same rate, given the flooding. They thus would continue to provide number vehicles and the passes they make, substrates to those forms living on them.
Calling out for help! Irresponsible driving can lead to problems for people too! Ruining the ecology of Hesaraghatta lake: the role of bird photographers. Page 14
Disturbance and flushing of birds: ing distance. Adding this ‘road effect zone’ to Considering bird behaviour, road disturbance the actual vegetation lost, the impacts become would not refer to the width of the road alone more signficant. A total width of 30 m is dis- but to a broader strip on both sides of the turbed on either side of each track. For the road (road effect zone) defined by the flushing entire 43 km of track, the road effect zone distances of birds. Flushing distance is the amounts to 136 ha or 336 acres. For the closest distance a bird would allow a vehicle tracks on the waterspread area alone, which to approach before flying off. This distance was 17.65 km, the road effect zone is 56 ha or varies with species, habitat and prior distur- 138 acres which is roughly about half the area bance. To determine the road effect zone in a of Lalbagh Gardens (97 ha). If computed to rapid assessment is difficult and hence, we the total water spread area, 138 acres have used a road effect zone of 15 m on amounts to about 41 percent. either side of the road [10]. This behaviour A single vehicle is bad enough, but if 20 vehi- has been extensively used for determining the cles per day making 100 passes on the lake impacts of anthropogenic activities on wildlife bed area each day for the entire winter sea- [11]. Ten observations made randomly vali- son are considered, the impact would be very dates the earlier assumption of a 15 m flush- high.
Tracks in black with the road effect zone in red and the water- spread area of August 2009 in blue Ruining the ecology of Hesaraghatta lake: the role of bird photographers. Page 15
Loss of host plants for Butterflies: A rare known. However, it was observed that several species of butterfly the Lilac Silverline host plants of other butterflies were crushed (Apharitis lilacinus) was observed and pho- by off-road vehicle movement. Butterflies have tographed during the study by one of the specific host plants on which females deposit authors (Nitin RA), after a span of 103 years, eggs and the larvae feed on the plant, pupate since it’s last confirmed sighting from and metamorphose into adult butterflies. Soledevanahalli located north of Bangalore. A During this critical stage of development, the small population of about 15-20 individuals butterflies are not given to moving and will was seen on the grass during the day. This succumb to any damage inflicted on the host species of butterfly is protected under the plant. Persistent off-road driving will not only Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 [18]. This destroy common butterflies but also this rare species was earlier known from only a few and protected butterfly species in this area. localities and was patchily distributed through- out the country. The recent rediscovery from Hesaraghatta provides an opportunity to gain insights into the ecology and behaviour of this species. The food plant of this butterfly is not Ruining the ecology of Hesaraghatta lake: the role of bird photographers. Page 16
Ethics: For most small sized raptors, feeding where, a significant decrease in the food gath- chased Pied Harriers, a relatively uncommon frequently is important. The more a bird is ering rate was documented in wading birds winter migrant to India, until the birds were flushed from its perch (by an over enthusiastic due to vehicle movement [11]. Such actions tired and did not have any stamina to fly any photographer in this case), the more time and impose immense physiological stress on the further. energy it spends in flying from one perch to bird and may even lead to its death. On sever- It is also to be noted that some photographers another [12]. This reduces the time available al occasions in the past, there have been are rumoured to regularly bait birds of prey for it to find food. In experimental studies else- reports of how photographers in vehicles with live snakes which are tied to a peg on the ground. This practice is repugnant and unethi- cal and contravenes the law.
This Bluefaced Malkoha (Phaenicophaeus viridirostris), killed off-road at Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, illustrates what could happen with overspeeding in wilderness areas (July 2011) Ruining the ecology of Hesaraghatta lake: the role of bird photographers. Page 17
the past, there have been instances of nest specific trails and stick to them. Gaining public A wider perspective photographers destroying bird nests after their support for the conservation of biodiversity is In geological history, plants have pioneered the photo-shoots to prevent others from clicking fundamental in nature conservation and man- colonization of land. They setup the energy the same. Today, nest photography is banned aging human use has been one of the corner- flows through the ecosystem. If the plant in almost all nature photography competitions, stones in conservation science. The recent cover is lost, the insect community dependent repositories or social media pages. Could we issue of Supreme Court enforcing a blanket on it will decline and consequently the food take lessons from this? Indeed, nature photog- ban on tourism in tiger reserves is an example available to birds too. This then, will lead to a raphy forums should be discouraging such [14]. A sad consequence of such a blanket decline in bird populations. The mindless act practices of deliberately destroying the habitat ban, which is often necessary, is that it of off-road driving just to get images of rare for the purpose of photography. They could excludes the very people who are needed to and vagrant birds is counterproductive. discredit any photographer who deviates from lobby for conserving wildlife. If people follow- ethical practices and is caught cheating. ing unethical practices do not correct them- Fame and popularity that photography gives to Personal websites could be discredited next. selves, a blanket ban is not out of place. people has to a large extent, fuelled this craze In other parts of the world where human use of Therefore, regulating such recreational activi- for migrant, rare or charismatic species. This ties is the key. Peer pressure could help great- race to get the rarest and the best picture wildlife areas for recreation is allowed, they are strictly monitored and controlled [For ly in achieving this. The measures mentioned crosses the thin line between seeming igno- below, coupled with a strong and strict code of rance and outright wilful unethical practice. In example,13]. Walkers are expected to follow Ruining the ecology of Hesaraghatta lake: the role of bird photographers. Page 18
conduct have worked wonders with the same this study can provide a simple and cost-effec- Floricans; Residents: Pipits, Larks, Quails, wildlife-photography community in the past tive way to accurately assess the impacts in Partridges, Lapwings). Apart from birds, other and we see no reason why it should not work these areas. fauna like amphibians, reptiles, mollusks and again. Importance of grasslands: Grasses are funda- insects, including the recently rediscovered Relevance of this study to wilderness areas mental in supporting and sustaining a “grass- Lilac Silverline Butterfly were found there where tourism exists: The results from this land ecosystem”. The distribution of natural in good numbers. study are relevant to wilderness areas in India grasslands within Peninsular India is patchy. A third of all birds ever recorded from Bangalore where vehicle tracks have been laid for wildlife Very little ecological knowledge exists about can be found in Hesaraghatta. Our city will safaris and transportation. For example, the them in comparison to say, a forest ecosys- only be the poorer if we lose such a biological- Rajiv Gandhi (Nagarahole) National Park had tem. ly diverse habitat. Majority of the habitat spe- close to 700 km of roads, visibility lines and Grasslands are often chosen targets for agricul- cialist species will be gone once and for all. fire lines in 1985 [15] which accounts to about turural and urban devolopment. Often, grass- 15 % of the park area. Some of the impacts lands are termed as waste lands and planted identified from this study, especially damage with trees by the Government. Such changes to vegetation and soil caused due to move- destroy the ecology of this fragile ecosystem. ment of vehicles, can also be extended to these wilderness areas. The technique used in Several grassland specialist birds are found there (Migrants: Harriers, Falcons, Eagles, Ruining the ecology of Hesaraghatta lake: the role of bird photographers. Page 19
recover if provided respite from constant who are indulging in off-road driving and add Conclusions movement [6]. In Hesaraghatta however, the the already worsening problem. From this rapid assessment study, it is clear situation is far from it. Since 2009, when the Given the variability in factors leading to the that the unregulated movement of bird photog- issue of off-road driving was reported, the problem, it becomes imperative that whatever raphers has had a severe impact in the form number of people indulging in it has only be the mode of activity in Hesaraghatta and of permanent vehicle tracks. The feeding and increased. Such activities have not been limit- similar habitats, some form of regulation is a foraging activities of birds are altered if con- ed to the study site but are becoming increas- must. Driving on the lake bed in a vehicle is stantly pursued by vehicles. This imposes ingly common in other dry lake beds and detrimental to the habitat and it must be severe stress on the birds living there. grasslands throughout Peninsular India. stopped. Damage to vegetation is more severe by a mov- It appears that several newer entrants into pho- This rapid assessment study is only an attempt ing vehicle than an individual walking. The tography are either unaware of the damages to highlight the problem with supporting evi- regeneration of plants and in turn the process they may inadvertently be causing or choose dence. Drawing out solutions to the com- of succession is negatively affected by this. to blatantly ignore the fact that they cause pounded problem from this short duration Several grasses and woody saplings are per- damages to the habitat and the birds which study would be unjust. However, we suggest manently affected, especially in their growth they intend to photograph. Several well mean- several ways to mitigate the negative impacts. phase. Studies elsewhere have shown that ing photographers may simply follow others there is ample scope for such habitats to Ruining the ecology of Hesaraghatta lake: the role of bird photographers. Page 20
they show some ‘empathy’ and voluntarily regulating the activity by providing clear guide- Protection: the abstain from what they are doing. What is lines. The panel should aim to address these needed is a strict conformity to a code of con- two questions: 1. Should vehicles be allowed options available duct resulting in ethical photography. On sev- at all ? 2. If yes, how many and where are Need for a regulation: Clearly off road driving eral occasions, members of the photographer they allowed to go? on the lake bed damages the habitat and community have themselves proposed this. Demarcation of pathways on the ground, and should be stopped. Photographers need to Many countries have standards which can be having no go zones on the grassland lake understand and accept the fact that the habi- simply followed [See for example,16]. bed, with moral policing and public shaming of tat saved for posterity has more value than a Need for a stakeholder committee: It may be ‘offenders’ by the photographic community. close up photograph. If at all one needs pho- necessary set up a panel of stakeholders to The off-road driving of vehicles can be con- tographs, it has to be made by walking and find viable long term solutions to this problem. trolled by a second level of self regulation. not by driving and pursuing the bird. The panel could have as its members a few Photographers deviating from such trails could Self regulation has seen limited success in the veteran photographers, new entrants to pho- be photographed and discredited on various past. Much of the photographers seen in tography, ecologists, representatives of lake forums where he/she uploads the photograph Hesaraghatta and similar habitats appear to users and government. This panel should initi- (For eg: India Nature Watch, Indiabirds, and be well educated and are concerned about ate a much more detailed study (than this) other Facebook pages). birds. Given this assumption, we suggest that and attempt to identify means and ways of Ruining the ecology of Hesaraghatta lake: the role of bird photographers. Page 21
Digging a trench along access roads or lining road driving. This will prevent any vehicle from removing the stones could be subjected to them with stone posts to create a physical leaving the designated path. Any photogra- moral policing and discredited. barrier, or visible guidelines for limits on off- pher violating this by covering the trench or Policing by the Forest Department and Bangalore Water Supply and Sewage Board (BWSSB). Though the movement of vehicles and people in the lake bed area does not amount to trespassing, the concerned authori- ties could be involved in regulating the num- ber of vehicles entering the lake bed. Vehicle movement increases soil erosion and BWSSB has every reason to worry about turbid waters when inflow to the lake increases. Forest Department should come into the picture as wildlife and protected species are involved. Legal ban and protection with penalization of offenders. There is precedence for it. Photography of the Great Indian Bustard has Ruining the ecology of Hesaraghatta lake: the role of bird photographers. Page 22
been banned by the forest department owing Some are not just migratory but are threat- to increasing unethical practices in photo- ened migratory species too by IUCN’s listing: graphing the birds in their breeding season For example, European Roller (Coracias gar- causing a constant disturbance [17]. rulous) NT; Lesser Florican (Sypheotides indi- All the birds are protected species and are cov- cus) EN; Greater Spotted Eagle (Aquila ered under the various clauses of the Wildlife clanga) VU etc [18]. Protection Act of 1972 and so are a few but- Several of the migrant birds are already losing terflies found in Hesaraghatta. The area is a their habitat in and around Bangalore. lake bed, allthough dry now. India is a signato- Hesaraghatta lake is one place where they ry to the ‘Ramsar Convention’ (Convention on are found in sufficiently good numbers. Wetlands of International Importance) which it Continued disturbance in this place will do has ratified. The convention, at its heart, is unforeseen damage to the birds. India being based on the philosophy of ‘wise use’. signatory to the above mentioned treatises, India is also a signatory to the ‘Convention on can take strong legal action against the activi- Migratory Species’, which it has also ratified. ties which threaten the existence of birds and Many of the birds facing pressure from pho- their habitats. tographers in Hesaraghatta are migratory.
Termite mounds are often a casuality of reckless driving! Apart from the mounds serving as perches, termites themselves have an important role in a grassland ecosystem. Ruining the ecology of Hesaraghatta lake: the role of bird photographers. Page 23
Anas clypeata - Northern Shoveller Asio flammeus - Short-eared Owl Cumulative Bird List Anas crecca* - Common Teal Athene brama - Spotted Owlet Anas penelope - Eurasian Wigeon Aythya ferina* - Common Pochard Of Hesaraghatta and environs, compiled by Seshadri KS. Anas poecilorhyncha - Spot-billed Duck Bubulcus ibis - Cattle Egret Those marked with an asterisk are from [21] and the Anas querquedula - Garganey Butastur teesa - White-eyed Buzzard rest from [20] Anastomus oscitans - Asian Openbill Stork Cacomantis passerinus - Indian Plaintive Cuckoo Accipiter badius - Shikra Anhinga melanogaster* - Darter Calandrella brachydactyla - Greater Short-toed Lark Accipiter gentilis* - Northern Goshawk Anthus cervinus - Red-throated Pipit Calidris minuta - Little Stint Acridotheres fuscus - Jungle Myna Anthus godlewskii* - Blyth's Pipit Calidris temminckii - Temminck's Stint Acridotheres tristis - Common Myna Anthus hodgsoni* - Oriental Tree Pipit Caprimulgus asiaticus - Common Indian Nightjar Acrocephalus agricola* - Paddyfield Warbler Anthus richardi - Richard's Pipit Casmerodius albus - Large Egret Acrocephalus dumetorum - Blyth's Reed-Warbler Anthus rufulus - Paddyfield Pipit Centropus sinensis - Greater Coucal Actitis hypoleucos - Common Sandpiper Anthus similis* - Brown Rock Pipit Ceryle rudis* - Lesser Pied Kingfisher Aegithina tiphia - Common Iora Apus affinis* - House Swift Charadrius alexandrinus* - Kentish Plover Alauda gulgula - Eastern Skylark Aquila clanga - Greater Spotted Eagle Charadrius dubius - Little Ringed Plover Alcedo atthis* - Small Blue Kingfisher Aquila pomarina - Lesser Spotted Eagle Chlidonias hybridus - Whiskered Tern Amandava amandava - Red Munia Aquila rapax - Tawny Eagle Chloropsis aurifrons - Gold-fronted Chloropsis Amaurornis phoenicurus - White-breasted Waterhen Ardea cinerea - Grey Heron Chrysocolaptes festivus* - Black-shouldered Ammomanes phoenicurus - Rufous-tailed Finch-Lark Ardea purpurea - Purple Heron Woodpecker Anas acuta - Northern Pintail Ardeola grayii - Indian Pond Heron Chrysomma sinense* - Yellow-eyed Babbler Artamus fuscus - Ashy Woodswallow Ciconia ciconia - European White Stork Ruining the ecology of Hesaraghatta lake: the role of bird photographers. Page 24
Ciconia episcopus* - White-necked Stork Dendrocitta vagabunda - Indian Treepie Galerida deva* - Sykes's Crested Lark Circaetus gallicus - Short-toed Snake Eagle Dendrocygna javanica - Lesser Whistling-Duck Gallinago stenura - Pintail Snipe Circus aeruginosus - Western Marsh Harrier Dicaeum agile* - Thick-billed Flowerpecker Gallinula chloropus* - Common Moorhen Circus macrourus - Pallid Harrier Dicaeum erythrorhynchos - Tickell's Flowerpecker Gyps bengalensis* - Indian White-backed Vulture Circus melanoleucos - Pied Harrier Dicrurus leucophaeus - Ashy Drongo Gyps himalayensis - Himalayan Griffon Circus pygargus - Montagu's Harrier Dicrurus macrocercus - Black Drongo Halcyon smyrnensis - White-breasted Kingfisher Cisticola juncidis - Streaked Fantail Warbler Dinopium benghalense* - Lesser Golden-backed Haliastur indus - Brahminy Kite Clamator jacobinus* - Pied Crested Cuckoo Woodpecker Hieraaetus pennatus - Booted Eagle Columba livia - Blue Rock Pigeon Dumetia hyperythra* - Rufous-bellied Babbler Hierococcyx varius* - Common Hawk Cuckoo Copsychus saularis - Oriental Magpie Robin Egretta garzetta - Little Egret Himantopus himantopus - Black-winged Stilt Coracias benghalensis - Indian Roller Egretta gularis - Western Reef Egret Hippolais caligata - Booted Warbler Coracias garrulus - European Roller Elanus caeruleus - Black-shouldered Kite Hippolais rama* - Sykes's Warbler Coracina macei* - Large Cuckoo-Shrike Emberiza buchanani - Grey-necked Bunting Hirundo daurica - Red-rumped Swallow Coracina melanoptera - Black-headed Cuckoo-Shrike Eremopterix grisea - Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark Hirundo fluvicola* - Streak-throated Swallow Corvus macrorhynchos - Jungle Crow Eudynamys scolopacea - Asian Koel Hirundo rustica - Common Swallow Corvus splendens - House Crow Falco chicquera - Red-headed Falcon Hydrophasianus chirurgus* - Pheasant-tailed Jacana Coturnix coromandelica - Rain Quail Falco naumanni - Lesser Kestrel Jynx torquilla - Eurasian Wryneck Cuculus canorus* - Common Cuckoo Falco peregrinus - Peregrine Falcon Lanius cristatus - Brown Shrike Cuculus micropterus* - Indian Cuckoo Falco tinnunculus - Common Kestrel Lanius schach - Rufous-backed Shrike Cuculus saturatus* - Oriental Cuckoo Francolinus pondicerianus - Grey Francolin Lanius vittatus - Bay-backed Shrike Cypsiurus balasiensis - Asian Palm Swift Fulica atra - Common Coot Limosa limosa* - Black-tailed Godwit Ruining the ecology of Hesaraghatta lake: the role of bird photographers. Page 25
Lonchura malabarica - White-throated Munia Nettapus coromandelianus - Cotton Pygmy-goose Ploceus philippinus - Baya Weaver Lonchura malacca* - Black-headed Munia Numenius arquata* - Eurasian Curlew Pluvialis fulva* - Pacific Golden Plover Lonchura punctulata - Spotted Munia Nycticorax nycticorax* - Black-crowned Night Heron Porphyrio porphyrio - Purple Swamphen Megalaima haemacephala - Coppersmith Barbet Ocyceros birostris - Indian Grey Hornbill Prinia hodgsonii* - Franklin's Prinia Megalaima viridis - White-cheeked Barbet Oenanthe isabellina - Isabelline Wheatear Prinia inornata - Plain Prinia Merops orientalis - Small Bee-eater Oriolus oriolus - Eurasian Golden Oriole Prinia socialis - Ashy Prinia Merops philippinus - Blue-tailed Bee-eater Orthotomus sutorius - Common Tailorbird Prinia sylvatica - Jungle Prinia Milvus migrans - Black Kite Otus bakkamoena* - Collared Scops Owl Pseudibis papillosa* - Black Ibis Mirafra affinis - Jerdon's Bushlark Parus major* - Great Tit Psittacula cyanocephala* - Plum-headed Parakeet Mirafra cantillans - Singing Bushlark Passer domesticus - House Sparrow Psittacula krameri - Rose-ringed Parakeet Mirafra erythroptera* - Red-winged Bushlark Pavo cristatus - Indian Peafowl Pycnonotus cafer - Red-vented Bulbul Motacilla alba - White Wagtail Pericrocotus cinnamomeus - Small Minivet Pycnonotus jocosus - Red-whiskered Bulbul Motacilla cinerea - Grey Wagtail Pernis ptilorhynchus - Oriental Honey-buzzard Pycnonotus luteolus - White-browed Bulbul Motacilla citreola - Citrine Wagtail Phaenicophaeus viridirostris - Small Greenbilled Riparia diluta - Pale Martin Motacilla flava - Yellow Wagtail Malkoha Rostratula benghalensis - Greater Painted-Snipe Motacilla maderaspatensis - Large Pied Wagtail Phalacrocorax niger - Little Cormorant Saxicola caprata - Pied Bushchat Mycteria leucocephala - Painted Stork Phalaropus lobatus - Red-necked Phalarope Saxicola torquata - Common Stonechat Nectarinia asiatica - Purple Sunbird Phylloscopus trochiloides - Greenish Leaf-Warbler Saxicoloides fulicatus - Indian Robin Nectarinia lotenia* - Loten's Sunbird Pitta brachyura* - Indian Pitta Spilornis cheela* - Crested Serpent Eagle Nectarinia zeylonica - Purple-rumped Sunbird Platalea leucorodia* - Eurasian Spoonbill Sterna aurantia - River Tern Neophron percnopterus - Egyptian Vulture Plegadis falcinellus - Glossy Ibis Streptopelia chinensis - Spotted Dove Ruining the ecology of Hesaraghatta lake: the role of bird photographers. Page 26
Streptopelia senegalensis - Little Brown Dove Turdoides affinis - White-headed Babbler Streptopelia tranquebarica* - Red Collared Dove Turdoides caudatus* - Common Babbler Strix ocellata - Mottled Wood Owl Turdoides malcolmi - Large Grey Babbler Sturnia blythii - Malabar White-headed Starling Turdoides striatus - Jungle Babbler Sturnia malabarica - Grey-headed Starling Turnix suscitator* - Common Buttonquail Sturnus pagodarum* - Brahminy Starling Tyto alba* - Barn Owl Sturnus roseus - Rosy Starling Upupa epops - Common Hoopoe Sylvia curruca - Common Lesser Whitethroat Vanellus indicus - Red-wattled Lapwing Sypheotides indica - Lesser Florican Vanellus malabaricus - Yellow-wattled Lapwing Tachybaptus ruficollis - Little Grebe Tachymarptis melba - Alpine Swift Tadorna ferruginea* - Brahminy Shelduck Tephrodornis pondicerianus* - Common Woodshrike Terpsiphone paradisi - Asian Paradise-Flycatcher Threskiornis melanocephalus* - Black-headed Ibis Treron bicincta - Orange-breasted Green Pigeon Treron phoenicoptera* - Yellow-legged Green Pigeon Tringa glareola - Wood Sandpiper Tringa ochropus - Green Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis - Marsh Sandpiper Tringa totanus* - Common Redshank
A lark on the dry lake bed observed at the nest during the survey Ruining the ecology of Hesaraghatta lake: the role of bird photographers. Page 27
5. DP Shelton, PJ Jasa (2009). Estimating per- 9. Ecological Succession, Feb 2013 References cent residue cover using Line-Transect http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecological_succes- References have not been sorted alphabetically method. University of Nebraska. Available sion or in order of usage; and formats have not from www.extension.unl.edu/publications. 10. RT Forman, LE Alexander (1998) Roads been standardised. 6. Michael Liddle (1997) Recreation Ecology, and their major ecological effects. Annual 1. Mike Prince (2009). The good and Bad at Chapman and Hall review of ecology and systematics 29:207-231 Hesaraghatta, BngBirds, msg# 15903. 7. WF Laurance, M Goosem, SG Laurance 11. ED Stolen (2003) The Effects of Vehicle 2. Kenneth Kershaw (1973) Quantitative and (2009). Impacts of roads and linear clearings Passage on Foraging Behavior of Wading Dynamic Plant Ecology, second ed. ELBS on tropical forests. Trends in Ecology & Birds. Waterbirds 26(4):429-436 Evolution 24:659-669. 3. Ecological Succession in http://www. 12. J Burger and M Gochfeld (1991) Human Wikipedia.org as accessed on 8th January 8. JP Pascal and BR Ramesh (1995) Forest Distance and Birds: Tolerance and Map of South India, Bangalore-Salem Sheet ResponseDistances of Resident and Migrant 4. JP Pascal, BR Ramesh (1995). Forest Map 1:250,000 scale. French Institute of Species in India. Environmental Conservation of South India. Notes on the Bangalore- Pondicherry. 18:158-165 Salem sheet. The French Institute, Pondicherry. 13. Provincial Parks Regulation Act, 1985, Alberta, Canada Ruining the ecology of Hesaraghatta lake: the role of bird photographers. Page 28
14. Krithi K Karanth and K Ullas Karanth (2012) 18. Wildlife Protection Act 1972 and amend- A Tiger in the Drawing Room Can luxury ments. Republic of India. Tourism Benefit Wildlife? Economic and 19. International Union for Conservation of Political Weekly XLVII No. 38. Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN). Red 15. Ranjit Lal, Ashish Kothti, Prathiba Pande, Data Book of Birds. Shekar Singh; eds. (1994) Directoy of National 20. Mails on the BngBirds email discussion Parks and Sanctuaries in Karnataka: group archives (2005-2013), Management Status and Profile. Centre for http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bngbirds Public Policy, Planning and Environmental Studies, Indian Institute of Public 21. Clement Francis, S Nitin, P.Manjunath Administration, New Delhi. (2009) Checklist of Birds of Hessarghatta, Bangalore Rural District, Karnataka, India. 16. Ethics for Photographers. http://birdsofhessarghatta.blogspot.in/ http://www.naturephotographers.net/ ethics.html as accessed in December 2012. 17. Ban on photography to protect the Great Indian Bustard, Conservation India 2012.
A Jackal getting chased on the lake bed. Photograph not by the authors Ruining the ecology of Hesaraghatta lake: the role of bird photographers. Page 29
Notes Acknowledgements Authors’ addresses All views expressed and information given in The authors thank (with apologies to those (In alphabetical order) this informal report are those of the authors missed) the following people who gave a Gautham GS, SJC