KANNUR: It is yet another season of migratory
birds in the state. But the proposed bird sanctuary in Munderikadavu, a wetland
area in the district with rich biodiversity, is yet to become a reality.
"Though finance
minister K M Mani had announced in last year's budget that the place
would be developed into a bird sanctuary, nothing has been done so far in this
regard," said Babu P P Karakkat, a local bird enthusiast and convener of
the Munderi Bird Sanctuary Protection Group.
"The place is home to nearly 200 species of
birds, including 60 varieties of migratory birds -- a number higher than that
of the Thattekad bird sanctuary. Authorities seem to be ignoring this area
despite initiatives from the part of local panchayat," he said.
The 7.5 square kilometre sanctuary, spread
across Munderi and neighbouring panchayats, forms the catchment of the
Kattampally river, and has rich variety of plants, mangroves and fish.
"It was due to my initiative that the
government declared Munderikadavu as a bird sanctuary, and it is sad that it
did not take off in the desired manner. The forest department did some primary
works for the proposed sanctuary," said A P Abdullakutty, MLA. He said the
project should get sufficient funds and also the development should not affect
the ecosystem, so that it could become one of the most sought-after bird
sanctuaries in the country.
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