VISAKHAPATNAM: The bird count is diminishing day by day in the city and neighbourhood. The main reason behind the vanishing birds is increasing absence of mangrove forests and the water bodies. The depletion of mangrove forest near the Vizag airport and the encroachment of Kapuluppada lake are the major reasons for the fast vanishing bird species.
As the Hudhud cyclone devastated the tree cover, the fruit-bearing plants are seen less in number. Due to this also, the city is witnessing less divergent species which were found earlier in the wildlife sanctuaries.
Speaking to Express, Vivek Rathod, the co-founder of Vizag Bird Watchers Society, said: “Water bodies are seldom seen due to urbanisation. Mostly the birds are found where they find feed but now there is scarcity of water and trees too. They do not find fruit-bearing trees because of the avenue plantations in the city limits.”
“Passerine birds are found in Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary. But their nubers are dwindling. Many water bodies are being affected in the reservoir areas. Some species need wetland and baya weaver and painted stork, which were the common species of Kapuluppada Lake and the mangrove forest near Vizag airport, are becoming rare species. Thanks to the encroachments. Due to loss of mangrove forests, Black Crowned Night Herons are not to be found,” he added.