Uppalapadu Sanctuary to become conservation reserve
District In-Charge Collector A Bhargav Teja directed forest officials to finalise the proposal following community consultations and inter-departmental approvals. The declaration is expected to not only bring legal recognition but also ensure sustained ecological protection and funding support.
Spanning 9.5 acres, the freshwater lake in Uppalapadu hosts thousands of birds each year between October and March. Nearly 30,000 birds of over 25 species-including spot-billed pelicans, painted storks, openbill storks, white ibises, and glossy ibises - migrate from as far as Siberia, Eastern Europe, Australia, and Myanmar to escape harsh winters and breed in the sanctuary.
Speaking to TNIE, District Forest Officer M Hima Shailaja said the lake is dotted with 14 vegetated mounds spread across two acres, which serve as nesting grounds. 'The mounds are mostly covered with Prosopis juliflora, but the trees are deteriorating due to increased bird activity. We're planning replantation to improve the green cover,' she explained.
To support nesting, 14 artificial perching stands have been installed. 'Though we've been conserving the habitat with community support for over two decades, the site lacked legal recognition. The move to designate it as a Conservation Reserve will finally formalise the sanctuary's protection,' she added.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Indian Express
4 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Palacode farmers demand swift completion of Jarthalav-Pulikarai canal project
DHARMAPURI: The long wait of the farmers in Palacode taluk for the completion of the Jarthalav-Pulikarai canal interlinking projects continues. Frustrated, they again urged the Public Works Department (WRO) to hasten its completion. The project is crucial for improving the water table in Palacode taluk, farmers stated. The project was proposed in 2019 to divert water from the Jarthalav lake in Krishnagiri to more than 16 lakes in Palacode taluk to improve groundwater recharge. Farmers stated that the implementation of the project is crucial for cultivation of sugarcane and other crops in the drought-prone areas. However, only 70% of the work has been completed. Speaking to TNIE, K Subramaniyan, a Palacode-based farmer, said, "There has been no progress on the project for the past one year. One of the reasons is the delay in digging canals. Most of the project falls in hilly terrain, and poor planning has delayed the project. Primarily because they have not considered the hills and the rocks in the planned canal". Another farmer, R Murugesan from Palacode, said, "The project is a must now. Be it sugarcane, turmeric, or tomato cultivation, water is the key, and this project is key for water management. We need it now. Immediate efforts must be taken to implement the scheme". When TNIE reached out to PWD(WRO) staff, they said, "Works are being conducted and efforts are being taken to clear the rocks. We are also considering a controlled explosion to loosen the rocks and speed up the works".
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Deaths at MM Hills draw attention to need for stronger tiger protection
Mysuru: Tiger deaths outside tiger reserves have raised concerns, even as authorities are contemplating plans to step up measures for the protection of big cats. The recent death of five tigers in MM Hills Wildlife Sanctuary has once again drawn attention to the need for stronger tiger conservation measures outside reserve areas. This year, seven out of ten tiger deaths in Karnataka occurred outside the designated tiger reserves. Between 2012 and 2024 (till Sept), 179 tigers died in Karnataka, some of them outside tiger reserves and national parks where conservation plans are strictly implemented as per the provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act. Karnataka recorded the presence of 565 tigers during the tiger census, and about 60 of them are in non-tiger reserve areas. Karnataka has five tiger reserves—Bandipur, Nagarahole, BRT, Bhadra, and Kali. Four tigers died outside the reserve area in 2024, six tigers in 2023, and three tigers in 2022. Field director (Project Tiger) P Ramesh Kumar told TOI that the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is coming out with a scheme for tiger conservation in non-tiger reserve areas where about 60 tigers are found. Usually, the sub-adult and aged tigers search for areas to settle as the big cats are territorial animals. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Scientists: Tinnitus? When tinnitus won't go away, do this (Watch) Hearing Magazine Undo As a result, the sub-adult tigers come out of the forests to find their territory, whereas the aged and weak tigers come out in search of easy prey on the fringes of forests, the IFS officer, who served as Bandipur Tiger Reserve director, explained. Unlike in tiger reserves, conservation plans in wildlife sanctuaries and territorial forests are different, the IFS officer said. Now, after several incidents of tiger conflicts and deaths outside reserves across India, the NTCA recently revealed plans to bring in strict regulations to protect the tigers. Another officer claimed that when injured or aged tigers seek shelter in the forest border, they usually prey on cattle being grazed near the forest. In that case, a farmer losing their cattle in tiger or leopard attacks will receive Rs 30,000 compensation. The compensation should be provided to the farmers quickly. Karnataka earlier witnessed cases of tiger poisoning after cattle were killed. Farmers sprayed venomous liquid to avenge the killing as the tiger returned to its prey to feed. Nagarahole reported two cases of poisoning in the last one-and-a-half decade, while the MM Hills Wildlife Sanctuary case of last week is the biggest incident as five tigers died due to poisoning. Box Judicial custody The three accused arrested in connection with the poisoning of the five tigers in MM Hills Wildlife Sanctuary were handed over to judicial custody by the forest department on Thursday. MM Hills Wildlife Sanctuary in-charge DCF S Santhosh Kumar informed TOI that the accused taken into custody for investigation three days previously were sent back on Thursday. If necessary, the accused would be taken into custody, he said. Meanwhile, the committee headed by APCCF Kumar Pushakar, investigating the case, has continued its probe at the wildlife area. The committee has to submit its findings to the govt before mid-July.
New Indian Express
4 days ago
- New Indian Express
Ernakulam has highest number of students in top 100 ranks for third consecutive year
KOCHI: The Kerala Engineering, Architecture, and Medical (KEAM) 2025 saw Ernakulam district bagging the top two ranks. John Shinoj of Muvattupuzha and Hari Kishan Baiju of Cherai ranked first and second in the KEAM 2025. Like last year, Ernakulam continues to have the highest number of candidates in the first 100 ranks. However, the numbers dropped from 24 in 2024 KEAM to 20 this year. It was 23 in 2023. Speaking to TNIE, Shinoj J Vattakuzhy, John's father, says, "John has always been a straight A student. He did his schooling in the ICSE syllabus. However, for the Higher Secondary course, he opted to join KE HSS at Mannanam in Kottayam. He scored 99.6 in his Plus Two examinations." John decided to join KE HSS since they had a tie-up with the Brilliant Coaching Centre. "He was advised by his Physics teacher to do so," his father adds.
