KOCHI: The Managalavanam Bird Sanctuary, known as the lung of Kochi, is gasping for breath as measures to conserve it have reached nowhere. This is at the time when the development activities in the city are moving at a rapid pace.
The officials of Forest Department said that the population of birds coming to the sanctuary have fallen by around 40 per cent. The surrounding of the sanctuary have turned out to be waste-dumping yard these days.
Assistant Conservator of Forest K G Rajan said the factors threatening the existence of Mangalavanam forest is high rises, water pollution and noise from vehicles passing by.
“The high rises with reflective glasses in the surroundings of the bird sanctuary block the routes of birds arriving here. Similarly, waste and polluted water from the city flow into the marshy areas of the forest thereby affecting the fish population and threatening mangroves. The mud and muck flowing along with the waste water from the city have blocked the canals through which water enters Mangalavanam from backwaters of the Kochi,” Rajan said.
As per studies, if more buildings come up near the sanctuary, the number of birds arriving will further dwindle by 20 per cent. Besides, the marshy area has also reduced by 10 per cent and population of fish has come down substantially. Now, the majority of birds that visit Mangalavanam are attracted to the islands in the Kochi backwaters.
K J Sohan, chairman, Town Planning Committee said the existence of Mangalavanam is under threat and time has come to initiate steps for conserving it.
“Kochi Corporation is well aware of the issues at Mangalavanam. We are looking at steps that can be taken to save the forest. A corridor has to be prepared for looking birds to safely arrive at Mangalavanam. Pollution related issues will also be dealt with,” he said.