Wader population shrinking in Kadalundi reserve

MALAPPURAM: Indiscriminate sand mining and dumping of poultry waste in the areas surrounding Kadalundi-Vallikkunnu Community Reserve is adversely affecting the population of waders, the major migratory birds visiting the reserve, says an ecological study conducted here to assess the abundance and habitat characteristics of wetland birds. The study which looks into the conservation significance of the Kadalundi-Vallikkunnu Bird Reserve, found that the wader population in the reserve is shrinking due to these threats. According to a recent research correspondence published in the Current Science journal, the rampant dumping of waste from poultry farms and slaughter houses along the mudflats of the sanctuary is attracting scores of stray dogs, kites and crows which are the major predators of waders. “The mudflats close to the mangrove patches, where the poultry waste is often dumped, is a favourite place of waders,” says K M Arif from Department of Zoology, Kannur University, who conducted the study. “Since stray dogs and kites flock here to eat the poultry waste, the wader population is often attacked by these animals,” he said. The study says that indiscriminate sand mining is also affecting the wader population in the reserve. Sand mining, which removes the nutrient rich upper soil, is a serious threat to the life of these winged visitors. “Though tidal waves bring up the soil back, it is usually devoid of polychetes-a major food source for these birds,” says Arif. Dr P K Prasad from the Department of Zoology, Kannur University and S Babu from Forest Ecology and Biodiversity Conservation, Kerala Forest Research Institute, have also taken part in the study. The researchers have been monitoring the threats to wader population in the reserve from 2005 onward.As per the study, the mud flats in the Kadalundi Reserve which measure approximately up to 8 hectares, provide food security to more than 4,000 migratory waders in an year. Kadalundi sanctuary has recorded 110 different species of water-birds among which 53 are migrant birds including the critically endangered Spoon-billed Sandpiper (Eurynorhynchus pygmacus). Citing the importance of the reserve due to its biodiversity, the study calls for urgent scientific management methods to help save the shrinking wader population here.