Flamingos light up Kovalam
A senior wildlife official said that in Kodiakkarai, flamingos begin arriving from Sept and stay for about six months.
Former deputy director of Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) S Balachandran said flamingos breed once in four years, and in some areas, they can be seen year-round.
You Can Also Check:
Chennai AQI
|
Weather in Chennai
|
Bank Holidays in Chennai
|
Public Holidays in Chennai
In Kanyakumari district, the backwaters near saltpans often host them due to the mixture of saline and fresh water that ensures adequate feed.
This combination influences their extended stay, Balachandran said.
Regarding Dhanushkodi, Balachandran said that the lagoon, now declared a flamingo sanctuary, dries up in summer, forcing the birds to move elsewhere.
K V R K Thirunaranan of The Nature Trust said the availability of feed and absence of human disturbance attracted flamingos to Kovalam Creek every year.
Thirunaranan and his team recorded mostly flamingos in non-breeding plumage and juvenile birds. "Since 2017, our team has recorded flamingo sightings here during July, albeit in small numbers, which always surprised us," he said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
Lesser Florican faces near extinction in Raj grasslands
Jaipur: Lesser Florican (Sypheotides indicus), once a vibrant emblem of Rajasthan's monsoon grasslands, has now almost vanished from its core breeding grounds in Ajmer, Kekri and Shahpura. This breeding season, wildlife researchers found only a single male, a steep fall from five in 2024 and 39 in 2020, signalling a catastrophic 97% decline in the wild. A recent landscape survey by the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) confirmed the grim numbers. The lone male, belonging to the smallest member of the bustard family and locally called Kharmor, was spotted near Bandanwara. "The situation is alarming. These endemic birds return to Rajasthan every monsoon to breed, usually arriving by late June after crops are sown. This year, only one was recorded," said BNHS researcher and wildlife scientist Sujit Narwade. In 2023, the forest department declared a 931-hectare conservation reserve in Arwar village, Ajmer, for the Lesser Florican — one of four bustard species in India, all on the IUCN Red List. However, local birdwatcher Balveer Singh said, "No effort has been made to remove Prosopis juliflora or restore grasslands. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Use an AI Writing Tool That Actually Understands Your Voice Grammarly Install Now Undo The area remains unprotected, with free-ranging dogs and heavy grazing continuing." Endemic to the Indian subcontinent, the Lesser Florican is a birdwatcher's delight. During the monsoon breeding season, males sport striking plumage and leap up to two metres in the air, producing a frog-like rattle heard 300–400 metres away to court females. Historically, the bird's breeding and non-breeding habitats were semi-arid grasslands. Today, invasive shrubs have overtaken much of this land, making it unsuitable. Experts warn that Rajasthan still has about 5,000 hectares of pastureland in this region, and timely restoration could benefit conservation. Shrinking grasslands due to agriculture, mining and overgrazing have forced the species to adapt to farmlands, coexisting with local communities. Yet, pesticides have turned these unprotected agropastoral areas into unsafe breeding zones. IUCN member Dau Lal Bohra said , "The proposal to declare certain lands as Biodiversity Sites allowing regulated agriculture while protecting the birds remains stalled," he said. With this, future of forest department's conservation breeding programme at Shokaliya, Ajmer, in partnership with the Wildlife Institute of India, also looks bleak as the wild population teeters on the brink. "In two years, 11 eggs have hatched successfully — but with numbers in the wild at rock bottom, the survival of this grassland dancer remains uncertain," said a forest official. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Raksha Bandhan wishes , messages and quotes !
Deccan Herald
05-08-2025
- Deccan Herald
BNHS, Tata Power partner to plant 2.7 lakh native saplings using Miyawaki plantation in Mulshi
Mumbai: The Bombay Natural History Society has partnered with Tata Power to launch a Miyawaki afforestation initiative at its hydro generating stations in Mulshi in Pune district. Using the Miyawaki technique, 2.7 lakh native saplings including 54 indigenous species will be planted to restore biodiversity, enhance carbon capture, recharge groundwater, and reduce initiative marks a significant step towards restoring native biodiversity, increasing green cover, and supporting Tata Power's long-term sustainability part of the partnership, Tata Power will identify and provide suitable land parcels around its catchment region, offer research-based insights on native species, while BNHS will lead the on-ground implementation, monitoring, and ecological management of the Miyawaki plantations. The project will be executed in three phases over five years across 47 acres in the villages of Adgaon and Barpe near Mulshi. The Miyawaki method is a proven technique for creating dense, fast-growing, and self-sustaining native forests in limited spaces. By planting native species in carefully selected combinations and layers, the technique fosters natural habitat restoration, significantly enhances soil quality, improves water retention, and supports pollinators and other wildlife. Its application in the ecologically sensitive hydro catchment zones of Mulshi will not only restore biodiversity but also build natural climate buffers and contribute to long-term ecosystem 'Mulshi Pattern' Producer, Punit Balan returns with his next venture – Jaggu Aani Juliet.'This initiative is vital for conserving fragile ecosystems and enhancing native biodiversity. Collaborating with an organisation that has nation-building and ecological stewardship at its core makes this endeavour truly meaningful for us,' said BNHS President Praveensingh Pardeshi, who is also the CEO of Maharashtra Institution for Transformation (MITRA).'With this initiative, we aim to create a measurable impact in conserving biodiversity and fostering sustainable development in the region,' added BNHS Director Kishor Rithe..'For over a century, Tata Power's hydro operations in the Western Ghats have been a testament to harmonising development with nature. This Miyawaki afforestation initiative in partnership with BNHS builds on that legacy, restoring critical ecosystems, reviving native biodiversity, and reinforcing our commitment to climate-resilient growth. Rooted in science, this collaboration reflects our vision of sustainability that goes beyond business to serve as a long-term custodian of India's natural heritage,' said Himal Tewari, CHRO, Chief – Sustainability & CSR, Tata Miyawaki method is a proven technique for creating dense, fast-growing, and self-sustaining native forests in limited spaces. By planting native species in carefully selected combinations and layers, the technique fosters natural habitat restoration, significantly enhances soil quality, improves water retention, and supports pollinators and other wildlife. Its application in the ecologically sensitive hydro catchment zones of Mulshi will not only restore biodiversity but also build natural climate buffers and contribute to long-term ecosystem resilience.
Time of India
18-07-2025
- Time of India
Flamingos light up Kovalam
Chennai: Bird watchers in the city were surprised to spot nearly 200 Greater Flamingos at Kovalam Creek recently, more so because wildlife officials said they were not sighted at their regular haunts such as Pulicat Bird Sanctuary in Tiruvallur, Kodiakkarai in Nagapattinam district, or the newly declared flamingo sanctuary at Dhanushkodi near Rameswaram. A senior wildlife official said that in Kodiakkarai, flamingos begin arriving from Sept and stay for about six months. Former deputy director of Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) S Balachandran said flamingos breed once in four years, and in some areas, they can be seen year-round. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai In Kanyakumari district, the backwaters near saltpans often host them due to the mixture of saline and fresh water that ensures adequate feed. This combination influences their extended stay, Balachandran said. Regarding Dhanushkodi, Balachandran said that the lagoon, now declared a flamingo sanctuary, dries up in summer, forcing the birds to move elsewhere. K V R K Thirunaranan of The Nature Trust said the availability of feed and absence of human disturbance attracted flamingos to Kovalam Creek every year. Thirunaranan and his team recorded mostly flamingos in non-breeding plumage and juvenile birds. "Since 2017, our team has recorded flamingo sightings here during July, albeit in small numbers, which always surprised us," he said.
