Latest news with #LesserFlamingos
The Hindu
29-06-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Muthupet mangrove cover increases by 2,057 hectares in the last three years
Muthupet, a coastal town located in the Thiruvarur district of Tamil Nadu, has witnessed a notable transformation over the past few years in its mangrove cover. Muthupet is home to the largest mangrove forest in the State, spanning across 120 square kilometres along the Palk Strait. According to an official document, the mangrove area in Muthupet has grown by 2,057 hectares from 2022 to 2025. The Muthupet wetland complex, encompassing six reserved forests, is an ecosystem that supports diverse wildlife, including over 100 species of migratory water birds like Lesser Flamingos and Spot-Billed Pelicans. These mangrove forests, dominated by Avicennia marina, act as a natural shield against storm surges, tsunamis, sea-level rise, and coastal erosion. They also play a key role in the ecology of the Cauvery delta, and the hydrology of several important distributaries. A major driver behind this revival has been the active involvement of the local community, particularly the fishing families living in villages surrounding the wetland, along with the Forest Department. The restoration activities, which have been ongoing since 2001, have adopted various techniques to optimise mangrove growth. According to Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary to Departments of Environment, Climate Change and Forests, the fishbone technique, introduced in 2004, has been a game-changer. This design allows for better tidal water flow, essential for mangrove establishment, by creating a network of canals that disperse seeds naturally. In 2023-24 alone, 350 hectares were treated using this method, with a new trial of 'step-type canals' aimed at increasing propagule survival rates. 'Under the Green TN Mission, in Muthupet alone we have planted more than 12 lakh mangrove propagules creating 1350 hectares of new plantations here,' Ms. Sahu wrote on social media platform X. According to the official note, between 2022 and 2024, Muthupet saw a total of 1,350 hectares of new mangrove plantations, with another 707 hectares undergoing restoration.
The Citizen
11-06-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Bolhuis supports fight to save South Africa's flamingo sanctuary
High-profile security and investigative specialist from Pretoria, Mike Bolhuis, expressed his deep concern over the state of Kamfers Dam in the Northern Cape near Kimberley. The site has become a toxic wasteland. 'Addressing this crisis requires more than promises. It demands sustained oversight, real investment, and the political will to prioritise environmental justice,' Bolhuis said. According to him, if left unchecked, the Kamfers Dam, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Sol Plaatje Municipality, will become a catastrophe that will serve as a warning of what is to come for other critical South African ecosystems already under threat. He has been actively involved in efforts to expose the environmental degradation at Kamfers Dam for several years. He assisted in a rescue operation in 2019 when a mass rescue of Lesser Flamingo chicks occurred at Kamfers Dam due to a severe drought. Many of these chicks were able to survive and were later returned to Kamfers Dam. Bolhuis is lending his full support to the multi-stakeholder effort to save the dam. This collaboration includes three organisations: – BirdLife South Africa, which continues to raise awareness about the ecological significance of the dam, – Ekapa Mining, which has invested in infrastructure and clean-up support, and – Save the Flamingo Association, which has long campaigned for habitat protection and water quality improvements. Local landowners and farmers have also voiced concern, particularly regarding the health risks posed by untreated effluent. The Sol Plaatje Municipality faced serious legal pressure early this year when environmental groups and landowners brought the case before the Northern Cape High Court. In April, the court granted an interdict compelling the municipality to halt all discharges, repair its infrastructure, and submit progress reports. The first report was due end of May. The next court compliance report is due in August. This united front underscores the urgency of protecting Kamfers Dam for the iconic Lesser Flamingos that depend on it, as well as for the health and dignity of nearby communities. As one of only four known breeding sites for the Lesser Flamingo (Phoeniconaias minor) in Africa, the dam attracted up to 70 000 flamingos at its peak, including thousands of breeding pairs and hatchlings. Bolhuis pointed out that the collapse is largely attributed to municipal negligence and unchecked pollution, particularly from the Homevale Wastewater Treatment Works, which for years released untreated or partially treated sewage into the dam. By late 2024, an estimated 36 million litres of effluent per day flowed into Kamfers Dam. By December last year, the discovery of over 130 bird carcasses, many infected with avian botulism, confirmed a biological disaster in progress. According to Bolhuis, the flamingos have since disappeared. 'The artificial island is submerged, the water is toxic, and the birds are gone,' said Esther van der Westhuizen-Coetzer, a leading wetland ecologist at Ekapa Mining. 'This is a collapse, not a warning sign. We are already there.' According to Van der Westhuizen-Coetzer, 'The May progress report was filed on time, and recent water testing suggests a gradual improvement. It's a start, but only a start. Not anything more.' Bolhuis outlined urgent actions that need to be taken, such as immediate investment in sewage treatment infrastructure and independent as well as regular water quality testing with full publication of results. The consequences are not limited to wildlife. Residents in nearby informal settlements now report chronic respiratory issues due to hydrogen sulphide emissions. While the return of flamingos remains uncertain, conservationists are hopeful that sustained legal and civic pressure will prevent total collapse. BirdLife South Africa has called for the International Union for the Conservation of Nature status of the Lesser Flamingo to be reviewed, citing Kamfers Dam's implosion as a potential catalyst for moving the species from near-threatened to vulnerable status. Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading! Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here
NDTV
10-06-2025
- General
- NDTV
Plastic Nurdle Spill From Sunken Cargo Ship Reaches Tamil Nadu, Raises Alarm
Chennai: A plastic nurdle spill from the sunken cargo ship MSC ELSA 3 has spread into the newly declared Dhanushkodi Greater Flamingo Sanctuary in Ramanathapuram district, threatening one of India's most fragile coastal ecosystems. The MSC ELSA 3, a Liberian-flagged vessel, sank off the Kochi coast a few weeks ago while carrying 640 containers, including 13 with hazardous materials, 12 with calcium carbide, 367 tonnes of furnace oil, and 84 tonnes of diesel. The ship's cargo manifest remains undisclosed, fuelling speculation about the full extent of environmental risk. Dhanushkodi Sanctuary, located within the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve, supports 128 species of birds -- including Greater and Lesser Flamingos -- and is home to sea turtles, crustaceans, molluscs, and fish. Its dunes, marshes, and seagrass beds form part of the Central Asian Flyway for migratory birds. The nurdles -- tiny plastic pellets used in industrial manufacturing -- resemble fish eggs and can be deadly to marine life. When ingested, they cause internal blockages, starvation, and often death. They also absorb toxins, entering the food chain and posing long-term health hazards. About 80 bags, each weighing 25 kilograms, have reportedly washed ashore along a 12-km coastal stretch. Affected sites include the Dhanushkodi old church, Irattaithalai, Mugandharayan Chathiram, Gothanda Ramar temple, and Patchappatti village. Carried by ocean currents from the Thiruvananthapuram-Kanniyakumari coast, the spill now threatens the adjacent Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park, home to vital coral reefs and seagrass beds. Experts warn these habitats could be smothered by plastic debris, blocking sunlight and disrupting photosynthesis. Ramanathapuram District Collector Simranjeet Singh Kahlon said, "We've identified between 15 and 30 nurdle bags along the coast. A special team has been deployed for cleanup, and additional teams are monitoring for further debris." He urged the public not to panic, stating that swift action was underway. The disaster evokes memories of the 2021 X-Press Pearl incident in Sri Lanka, where 1,680 tonnes of nurdles led to mass marine deaths and crippled fisheries. Studies showed severe impacts on plankton and larval life forms, threatening entire food chains. Cleanup efforts in Ramanathapuram face challenges due to the nurdles' buoyancy and small size, worsened by monsoon waves that break them into microplastics. With the 61-day annual fishing ban nearing its end, fishermen fear reduced fish catches and consumer hesitancy could harm their livelihoods if the spill worsens. Environmentalists are calling for urgent intervention, cargo transparency, and long-term containment measures to prevent irreversible damage to one of India's most critical marine ecosystems.
New Indian Express
06-06-2025
- New Indian Express
Tamil Nadu gives sanctuary to Greater Flamingos at Dhanushkodi
CHENNAI: The state government notified the establishment of the Greater Flamingo Sanctuary at Dhanushkodi in Ramanathapuram on 524.78 hectares of land on the occasion of World Environment Day on Thursday. This apart, the state forest department also reinforced its workforce with a major recruitment drive and the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) certified industries under the Voluntary Green Rating of Industries initiative, a first-of-its-kind. Marking the occasion, Chief Minister MK Stalin handed over the appointment letters along with the rating certificates to the industries. He also pledged his commitment to protecting the environment. Speaking at the event, Stalin said, 'Biodiversity and climate change are deeply interconnected. Tamil Nadu is leading the way as a state that not only understands this relationship but is also taking proactive steps in response.' 'We aspire not merely to achieve a US $1 trillion economy, but to ensure that it is environmentally sustainable. In driving this shift, we are empowering our young people with the skills and platforms they need,' he added. The Greater Flamingo Sanctuary, located within the ecologically sensitive Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve, is a critical stopover along the Central Asian Flyway. This region supports 128 bird species, including Greater and Lesser Flamingos. The area features diverse ecosystems – sand dunes, marshes, and mangrove forests like Avicennia and Rhizophora, which stabilise the coastline and provide habitats for marine life, including fish, crustaceans, molluscs, and nesting sea turtles. The notification issued by additional chief secretary Supriya Sahu aims to safeguard this biodiversity hotspot and promote responsible tourism, benefiting local communities in Ramanathapuram.
The Hindu
05-06-2025
- The Hindu
Tamil Nadu notifies Greater Flamingo Sanctuary at Dhanushkodi
The Tamil Nadu government has officially declared a Greater Flamingo sanctuary at Dhanushkodi in Ramanathapuram district. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin inaugurated the sanctuary via video conferencing on the occasion of the World Environment Day event organised by the Departments of Environment, Climate Change and Forests in Chennai on Thursday (June 5, 2025). Thangam Thenarasu, holding additional charge as Minister for Environment, R.S. Rajakannapan, Minister for Forests, and Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary to Departments of Environment, Climate Change, and Forests, participated in the event. The move aims to preserve a critical stopover point along the Central Asian Flyway for thousands of migratory wetland birds. The sanctuary spans 524.7 hectares and encompasses both revenue and forest lands within Rameshwaram taluk. The designated area, part of the ecologically sensitive Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve, is home to a variety of ecosystems, including mangroves, sand dunes, mudflats, and marshes. These unique features support a rich biodiversity, from migratory birds and marine life to nesting sea turtles. A Government Order (G.O.) issued on June 4, 2025, by Ms. Sahu, noted that according to the recent 2023-2024 wetland bird survey, the Dhanushkodi region recorded over 10,700 wetland birds, representing 128 species including herons, egrets, sandpipers, and both Greater and Lesser Flamingos. Mangrove species such as Avicennia and Rhizophora dominate the Dhanushkodi lagoon, providing essential breeding grounds and natural defenses against coastal erosion. The sanctuary status is expected to encourage responsible ecotourism, generate local employment, and raise public awareness about wetland conservation, the G.O. said. T.M. Anbarasan, Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Srinivas Reddy, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Head of Forest Force), Rakesh Kumar Dogra, Chief Wildlife Warden, also participated.
