Otter threat lurks on Kottayam's riverbanks
The number of otters in the Meenachil river and its tributaries has reached alarming proportions, instilling fear among those living along the banks. With an increasing number of otter bite incidents being reported, residents are now urging the government to take immediate steps to control their population.
Most affected areas
The situation is especially dire in regions such as Vijayapuram, Kumarakom, Aymanam, Arpookkara, Thiruvathukkal, Kottayam town, and Thazhathangadi. A recent incident in Velur near Kottayam has brought the issue into stark focus. Nisani, 53, wife of Ibrahimkutty from Kalayamkary, Panampady in Velur, died after being bitten by a large otter while washing clothes near her home. Although her death is suspected to have been caused by a heart attack following an anti-rabies injection, the incident has left riverside residents terrified. Since then, routine activities like washing clothes or utensils in the river have become fraught with fear.
Beyond posing a danger to human safety, the ballooning otter population has wreaked havoc on local fish farmers. Despite installing protective nets around their ponds, farmers report significant losses as otters, often attacking in groups, breach defences and consume large quantities of fish.
Once a rare sight, otters are now commonly seen navigating the waterways, particularly in stretches between Poovathumood and Vattamood bridges and around Parampuzha. Forest officials have also confirmed an increase in otter activity along the Meenachil river and nearby streams, especially during the animals' breeding season when they become more aggressive.
Why population surge
The otter is classified as a 'vulnerable' species on the IUCN Red List, making poaching a punishable offense.
According to experts, the rise in otter populations across riverine systems can largely be attributed to the absence of natural predators. 'Until around 2000, hunting groups from Andhra Pradesh would visit Kerala's waterbodies in search of otters. But with the tightening of wildlife conservation laws, that practice came to an abrupt end,' noted A. Jaison, former head of Wildlife Biology at the Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI).
'Most practical solution'
Otters inhabit rivers with dense bankside vegetation, marshes, and rocky areas. While manipulation of habitats could serve as a temporary deterrent, Dr. Jaison recommends trapping as the only currently viable option for population control. 'Capturing and relocating the animals might be the most practical solution,' he said.
Aby Iype, district general secretary of the Karshaka Congress, has urged the government to officially classify otters as vermin. 'The otter menace is a serious threat not just to human life, but also to the livelihoods of those involved in aquaculture,' he pointed out.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
14-07-2025
- Hans India
Assam: Critically endangered among 43 grassland bird species spotted in Kaziranga
In a significant development, a recent survey at the famed Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR) in Assam recorded a total of 43 grassland bird species, officials announced on Monday. The 43 grassland bird species included one critically endangered, two endangered, and six vulnerable species, along with several species endemic to the region as per the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. KNPTR Director Sonali Ghosh said that the survey, conducted between March 18 and May 25, placed special emphasis on ten focal species that are either globally threatened or endemic to the Brahmaputra floodplains. These threatened or endemic species include, Bengal Florican, Swamp Francolin, Finn's Weaver, Swamp Grass Babbler, Jerdon's Babbler, Slender-billed Babbler, Black-breasted Parrotbill, Marsh Babbler, Bristled Grassbird, and Indian Grassbird. The KNPTR Director said the first grassland bird survey report marked a significant milestone in the documentation and protection of grassland-dependent bird species in the Brahmaputra floodplains. The extensive survey spanned the Eastern Assam, Biswanath, and Nagaon Wildlife Divisions, she said, adding that utilising a combination of point count surveys and passive acoustic monitoring, the initiative represents the first dedicated attempt to assess grassland avifauna across this ecologically critical landscape. Assam's Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary expressed his deep satisfaction over the recording of 43 grassland bird species. In a post on the X, the Minister said: 'Thrilled to share that Kaziranga's first-ever grassland survey has recorded 43 grassland bird species, including one critically endangered, two endangered, and six vulnerable species, plus several regional endemics.' He said: 'The Brahmaputra floodplain ecosystem boasts the highest diversity of grassland obligate birds in India, reflecting the habitat's robust health and effective protection. Our commitment to science-backed management continues strong !' The KNPTR Director Ghosh said that the key highlight of the survey was to find the breeding colony of the endangered Finn's Weaver (Ploceus megarhynchus) at Kaziranga. This remarkable bird (a lifer for many birdwatchers), a master nest-builder atop trees, is a vital indicator of grassland health, the senior Indian Forest Service officer said. According to Ghosh, these species serve as ecological indicators of the health and integrity of floodplain grasslands. Another significance of the outcome of the study was the deployment of passive acoustic recorders, enabling non-invasive and continuous monitoring even in inaccessible or high-risk areas, she said. Ghosh said that the report identifies several critical grassland habitats within Kaziranga that support significant populations of threatened and endemic species. Notably, the discovery of a breeding colony of the Endangered Finn's Weaver in the Kohora Range marks a pivotal finding and reinforces the need for focused habitat protection and management. The report is the result of a collaborative effort by a dedicated team of forest officials, bird experts, scientists, and conservationists, the official said. The survey report was released by Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary in an event at Kaziranga. The Minister appreciated the efforts of the Park authorities to document lesser-known aspects of biodiversity in the Park. The KNPTR Director said that this report represents an important first step in the long-term conservation of grassland birds and emphasised the need for continued ecological monitoring and adaptive management to safeguard these fragile ecosystems. This pioneering work reaffirms Kaziranga's stature not only as a stronghold for charismatic megafauna but also as a critical refuge for avian biodiversity within the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot, she stated. The KNPTR, India's seventh UNESCO World Heritage site, comprises three forest divisions -- the Eastern Assam Wildlife Division, Bokakhat; the Bishwanath Wildlife Division, Biswanath Chariali; and the Nagaon Wildlife Division, Nagaon. Home to a remarkable population of the "Big Five," it comprises 2,613 Greater One-horned Rhinoceroses as of the 2022 census, 104 Bengal Tigers in 2022, 1,228 Asian Elephants in 2024, 2,565 Wild Water Buffalos in 2022, and 1,129 Eastern Swamp Deer also recorded in 2022.
The Hindu
12-07-2025
- The Hindu
Otter threat lurks on Kottayam's riverbanks
The threat from large reptiles like crocodiles is well known, but as residents across Kottayam are now discovering, danger in the water isn't always measured by size. The number of otters in the Meenachil river and its tributaries has reached alarming proportions, instilling fear among those living along the banks. With an increasing number of otter bite incidents being reported, residents are now urging the government to take immediate steps to control their population. Most affected areas The situation is especially dire in regions such as Vijayapuram, Kumarakom, Aymanam, Arpookkara, Thiruvathukkal, Kottayam town, and Thazhathangadi. A recent incident in Velur near Kottayam has brought the issue into stark focus. Nisani, 53, wife of Ibrahimkutty from Kalayamkary, Panampady in Velur, died after being bitten by a large otter while washing clothes near her home. Although her death is suspected to have been caused by a heart attack following an anti-rabies injection, the incident has left riverside residents terrified. Since then, routine activities like washing clothes or utensils in the river have become fraught with fear. Beyond posing a danger to human safety, the ballooning otter population has wreaked havoc on local fish farmers. Despite installing protective nets around their ponds, farmers report significant losses as otters, often attacking in groups, breach defences and consume large quantities of fish. Once a rare sight, otters are now commonly seen navigating the waterways, particularly in stretches between Poovathumood and Vattamood bridges and around Parampuzha. Forest officials have also confirmed an increase in otter activity along the Meenachil river and nearby streams, especially during the animals' breeding season when they become more aggressive. Why population surge The otter is classified as a 'vulnerable' species on the IUCN Red List, making poaching a punishable offense. According to experts, the rise in otter populations across riverine systems can largely be attributed to the absence of natural predators. 'Until around 2000, hunting groups from Andhra Pradesh would visit Kerala's waterbodies in search of otters. But with the tightening of wildlife conservation laws, that practice came to an abrupt end,' noted A. Jaison, former head of Wildlife Biology at the Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI). 'Most practical solution' Otters inhabit rivers with dense bankside vegetation, marshes, and rocky areas. While manipulation of habitats could serve as a temporary deterrent, Dr. Jaison recommends trapping as the only currently viable option for population control. 'Capturing and relocating the animals might be the most practical solution,' he said. Aby Iype, district general secretary of the Karshaka Congress, has urged the government to officially classify otters as vermin. 'The otter menace is a serious threat not just to human life, but also to the livelihoods of those involved in aquaculture,' he pointed out.
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Time of India
9k Brahmaputra fish rescued from Barasat, brought to Alipore zoo
Kolkata: A consignment of close to 9,000 rare fish, suspected to be containing the rare Channa barca or barca snakehead, a species found only in the upper Brahmaputra river basin, has been seized in Barasat while being smuggled on Tuesday and brought to Alipore zoo. Sources said three persons have also been detained in this connection. The seizure comes only a few days after 48 critically endangered gharials were seized near Gaighata last week. Barca snakehead is critically endangered in Bangladesh. In India, it is considered data-deficient by International Union for Conservation of Nature. It is also in high demand among aquarists. It is protected under Schedule II of the country's wildlife protection act. A forest dept official, though, said that unless ZSI identifies the species, they cannot make any comment. "All the fish in the consignment may not be channa barca. So, we are awaiting confirmation from ZSI," he said. According to sources, the Channa barca in the consignment was probably mixed with another similar species that looked like the 'Meghalaya Blue' fish or Channa pardalis. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata According to reports, the barca snakehead is only known from the upper Brahmaputra River basin in Assam and Nagaland in India and Sylhet in Bangladesh. This is a relatively large snakehead, reaching upto a length of up to 105 cm (3 ft). Its rarity, behavior and large size makes it unsuitable for most aquariums. It mostly inhabits wetlands, often near the margins, but can also be seen in riverine habitats. The overall conservation status of the barca snakehead is poorly known, but it appears to be a scarce or rare species, as per IUCN observation. The species is highly carnivorous, feeding mostly on fish.
