Migratory birds fly from Vedanthangal to Kancheepuram after lake goes dry

The Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary, holding a lake that spreads across 29.5 hectares is home to rare varieties of birds which migrate from 12 countries, including Australia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Burma, and China. Usually, more than five thousand birds visit Vedanthangal starting every October.

Sources said that usually the bird sanctuary is open for visitors from October until June and by December the sanctuary is usually filled with 25,000 of birds. Later, it increases to 40,000. However, this year, only 1500 birds were spotted.

Meanwhile, the bird’s that have migrated from other countries began to move to Vaiyavur Lake near Kancheepuram as the lake has sufficient water. Sources said, the villagers were cooperative enough and refrained from bursting crackers.

Meanwhile, bird enthusiasts at Vedanthangal bird sanctuary are an unhappy lot. They claimed that if this situation continues it would be better for the staff manning the sanctuary to close it rather that invite tourists and disappointment them. Sources indicated that if such a situation continues the sanctuary is bound to be closed after Pongal.

D Subbaiah, Vedanthangal forest ranger said, “Lack of adequate monsoon rain led to the lake drying up. But we are hoping that the State might still get some rain and if the lake fills up the birds will return to Vedanthangal once again.”