Slideshow | Climate change effected in avifaunal destruction: Tribal Foundation (Nagercoil) – Tamil Nadu

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Tribal Foundation takes people for visits to the Sanctuary as participatory environmental exposure programs

The Climate Change has its impacts and vibrations in a host of ways as cyclone, hurricane, storms, tsunami, thunderstorm and drought in India. A severe gale and thunderstorm had their impact on the avifauna that were breeding in the trees in the Koonthanlulam Bird Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu, India on April 29, coupled with rain.

The hurricane tossed the trees and many branches were broken resulting in the destruction of the parent birds with the chicks, mainly of Painted Stork. Painted Storks breed in the Sanctuary in the trees of the small agricultural village, where Pelicans, cormorants, Ibises breed in the trees situated inside the lake. If the environmental conditions are favorable as proper rainfall and availability of water in the Koonthankulam Lake and adjoining lakes and ponds from January to June every year water birds breed there. It is estimated that more than 4,000 birds breed in the Sanctuary.

Many species of migratory birds as Ruddy Shell Duck, Bar Headed Goose, Pin Tail Duck, Garganey, Shoveller, Osprey visit the Sanctuary.

Apart from the aquatic birds, ground nesting birds breed in the Sanctuary and Greater Flamingos are also spotted there.

More than 400 birds including parent birds fell to the ground and many of them died with broken limbs and bones. The local community rescued about 80 birds and kept them in a safer place and majority of them survived, but a dozen has to suffer with broken limbs that could not be set right as their nerves were damaged.

Painted Stork is listed by IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature ) in the Near Threatened category with population decreasing trend. Spot billed Pelican is also listed by IUCN and is in the Near Threatened category.

Reacting to the incident in nature, K.Mariappan (72) of the village said that he has not witnessed in his life such a natural calamity, where trees were slashed by severe winds and rain. He said it was an abnormal event in nature.

Tribal Foundation takes people for visits to the Sanctuary as participatory environmental exposure programs.

Courtesy (photos and information) Davidson Sargunam by email (16 July 2019)

How much does biodiversity matter to climate change? The ecosystems of the land and ocean absorb around half our our planet warming emissions. But these are being destroyed by human activity. At the same time, climate change is a primary driver of the destruction of these habitats and biodiversity loss. If biodiversity is our strongest natural defence against climate change (as it’s been described), what’s stopping us from doing more to protect it? | For up-to-date reports listen to The Climate Question (BBC) | United Nations on climate change >>

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