Ankasamudra Lake is now a bird reserve
BENGALURU: A haven for thousands of migratory birds and hundreds of species, Ankasamudra Lake, just 1 km away from the Tungabhadra backwaters, has been declared a ‘Birds Conservation Reserve’ as per Section 36 A of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. This will be the first such reserve in the Hyderabad-Karnataka region.
As per the government order dated January 31, the Ankasamudra Birds Conservation Reserve will be located in Ankasamudra village, Hagaribommanahalli taluk in Ballari. Spread across 244 acres, it will comprise the entire tank bund area in Survey no. 203 in this village but excludes enclosures and patta lands.
What makes it a reserve?
This has been declared as a reserve for its ecologicy, fauna, flora and geo-morphologic importance and for the purpose of protecting, propagating and developing wildlife or its environment and to protect the important breeding habitats of migratory birds and other local species.
The tank bund area is a unique habitat of migratory birds and other species which are listed in various schedules of Wildlife Protection Act. The order says the birds are under threat of poaching, destruction of nests and eggs and so there is a need to protect the habitats of both resident and migratory species.
Bird conservationist Vijay Ittigi who has been documenting them for the last 4-5 years, said, “There are 175 species (of bird)and even 11 species from the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List in and around Ankasamudra. Unfortunately, trees are being cut. Further, encroachment in the upstream areas of the lake results in drying up of the lake. There is a need to put a 250 hp motor to draw water from the Venkavadoota Yeta Neeravari so that the lake has water for birds.”
Big step for bird conservation
Speaking to Express, Takhat Singh Ranawat, Ballari deputy conservator of forests, said the notification of the bird reserve is a big step in the protection of migratory birds as the tank bund area has a good growth of trees and an excellent site for breeding and roosting.
He added, “It is a safe sanctuary for many species. We will now work towards providing a safe habitat. The only challenge will be during the drought years as the tank dries up. We will look for alternatives so that the birds can get on with their nesting and roosting activities.”