'Monark Flycatcher' spotted at Pathiramanal area

Kottayam, Jan 21 (UNI) 'Monark Flycatcher', a rare bird species was spotted at Pathiramanal in the Vembanad Lake area for the first time, Bombay National History Society (BNHS) Director Azad A Rehmani said here today.

Addressing a news conference here today, Mr Rehmani and other leaders said the Monark Flycatcher was noticed during a bird count.

They said the number of birds were increasing in the Vembanad Lake and neighbouring wetland areas.

The BNHS had urged the Kerala Government to declare Vembanad lake area as a reserve for the conservation of birds, they said adding the society had identified 435 centres in the country as Important Bird Areas (IBAs) of which 24 were in Kerala.

Aralam wildlife sanctuary, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, Silent Valley National Park, Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary, Chimmini Wildlife Sanctuary, Peechi-Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary, Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary, Eravikulam National Park, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Periyar Tiger Reserve, Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary, Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary, Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary and Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary.

Kottiyur, New Amarambalm, Nelliampathies, Vazhachal, Kulathupuzha, Konni and Ranni reserve forest and Kole welands, Vembanad Lake and Kattampally wetlands were the IBAs identified in Kerala.

Eight species were identified as vulnerable with 'White-rumped vulture being identified as critically endangered birds in Kerala.

Nilgiri Laughingthrush is an endangered bird. Sixteen other bird species were declared as near threatened species. Another 16 species were identified as endemic species of Kerala, they said.

The bird count was conducted under auspices of the Indian Bird Conservation Network (IBCA), a network of organisations and individuals promoting the conservation of birds and their habitats in India and strengthening the biological diversity of the region.

BNHS Director inaugurated a workshop here as part of the programme.

UNI