THOOTHUKUDI: The Thoothukudi district administration and the forest department are working to get Ramsar recognition for the avian biodiversity-rich Perungulam tank which attracts migratory and native birds throughout the year, especially in the summer season.
The Perungulam tank spreads over 860 acres and is located at Perungulam town panchayat. It is fed by the Thamirabarani River and caters for irrigation and supports a rich biodiversity of fishes and birds.
A recent study on “Perungulam wetland” conducted between July 2023 and June 2024 has recorded 147 bird species of 22 orders and 60 families, with 100 resident species constituting a large proportion. While a majority of the species are of ‘Least Concern’ (LC), a few species fall under the threatened category of International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and many are enlisted under Schedule I and II of the Wildlife Protection Act.
Five bird species, including Indian Roller (Coracias benghalensis), Spot-billed Pelican (Pelecanus philippensis), Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica), Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa), and Asian Woollyneck (Ciconia episcopus), are ‘Near Threatened’ while Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus) is listed as ‘Endangered’, and Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea) is ‘Vulnerable’.
As many as 14 species are protected under Schedule I of Wildlife Protection Act, which provides highest protection for highly threatened species.
The Perungulam wetland is a stopover for few bird species like Little Tern (Sternula albifrons), Gull-billed Tern (Gelochelidon nilotica), Whiskered Tern (Chlidonias hybrida), Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia), and Slender-billed Gull (Chroicocephalus genei).
Thomas Mathibalan, a bird watcher and also an author of the study, said that a diverse range of migratory and native birds descend down to Perungulam wetland for its suitable foraging and nesting sites, and for food availability with the supporting grassland, open scrub habitats.
In order to protect the Perungulam wetland and its ecosystem, a clear plan for conservation is the need of the hour, he said.
A senior official said that the Perungulam wetland meets the criteria required for Ramsar site.
Speaking to TNIE, District Forest Officer M Ilayaraja said that there is a discussion on proposing Perungulam wetland for obtaining “Ramsar recognition” given its diverse avifaunal assemblage and biodiversity. Also, there are plans to obtain the “Blue green centre” tag for Perungulam tank, to disseminate its ecological importance, he said.
The proposal will be sent after incorporating requirements of the Water Resources Department (WRD) and duly scrutinised by district wetland committee, he said.
(Ramsar recognition is a designation given to vital wetlands under the Convention on Wetlands, an intergovernmental treaty adopted in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran.)
