City’s green cover dips

When Tamil Nadu, along with Kerala recorded maximum increase in green cover between 2013-15, according to a report by the Forest Survey of India, the fast developing Chennai, Thiruvallur and Kancheepuram districts in fact showed a decline in their green cover. The survey had shown an increase of 2,501 sq km increase in the state’s green cover — but only in the interior districts.

While other districts are going all out to increase the green cover, Chennai and neighbouring districts have been busy removing the greenery due to construction activity. With buildings replacing shrub jungles and trees, a thriving animal and bird population in Chennai is now migrating to other areas. Nature enthusiasts say the spotting of animals like jackals and mongoose have come down drastically in Chennai and surrounding areas. The habitat loss has also resulted in a reduction in numbers of these animals. 

About five years ago, the Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre at Velachery, run by the forest department, used to rescue many animals, including jackals, pangolins, monkeys and civet cats, who stray into the residential premises in newly developed areas of the city. However, there has been a drastic fall in rescue of such animals in recent years. 

“Now also we get a number of calls, up to 25 calls a day. But most of them are requests to rescue snakes from their premises,” a forest official attached to the centre told DTNext. While the urban animal population has been dwindling, the Forest Department has no data on the animal population in the city. “We have not conducted any survey regarding animal population in the city. What we had only taken the census of birds and not animals,” Gitanjali, city wildlife warden, said.

Forest officials say the increase in spotting of snakes is mainly due to the reduction in the population of mongooses. “We do not understand how delicately the ecosystem is balanced and how important a role is being played by each of these animals. Due to unmindful developmental activities, we are destroying this fragile ecosystem in the city. Animals and birds should also be part of our existence. But we are trying to get rid of them from their vicinity,” a forest official said. 

When the Animal Rescue Centre rescues animals from residential localities, they are taken out to reserve forest areas and are released. Often, the forest department refuses to divulge details regarding release of snakes as they fear there could be public outrage. “It is true that most of the people do not kill animals that stray into residential areas. Instead, they call us to rescue them and take them away from their locality,” another forest guard said.

While urbanisation and population growth in cities cannot be reversed, animal activists claim that the only way to retain green cover would be creating more urban forests in protected areas such as the Guindy National Park, Tholkappiyar Poonga set along the Adyar estuary where the animal and reptile population remain concentrated and have even seen a growth over the recent years.

Without a proper census being done, the forest department has no way to assess the reduction in population of these animals. Some officials say that precious time has already been lost as most animals have disappeared from the city scape. Even the free ranging deer population, that had thrived among people in the city, are now being shifted to forest areas as there had been several reports of deaths of these animals. The most pressing need, according to them, is a proper census of the urban wildlife and a subsequent study on how to protect them in the midst of the concrete jungle.

The Pongal Bird Count, to be held between January 15 and 18, encourages every single bird lover to note down the avian species in their locality and help create a comprehensive list. 

While many people think that birdwatching is an expensive hobby or requires specialised skills, Thirunaranan KVRK of The Nature Trust demolishes this myth. “All you need is a love for birds. You don’t need to be a researcher or require expensive equipment. If you can, go to the nearest waterbody or your college or school campus. If not, just sit in your balcony or terrace and make a note of all the birds you see and in what numbers. It could be the crow or mynah – anything close to your backyard. You should upload this data on the eBird site, which is very user-friendly. This will help us maintain a record of bird population,” he said.

The event, is organised by eBird India along with other representatives, including the Nature Trust. Pongal, a traditional festival, is perfect to go birdwatching with family, said the expert. “Pongal is our festival and everybody has a few days off. So people can get together for the bird count. In addition, this is the month of migration in south India. The Bar-Headed Geese, a migratory bird which arrives from the Himalayas has made it to Koothankulam Bird Sanctuary in Tirunelveli. The nesting season has also started at the Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary. This checklist will help in the management of the species for researchers and ornithologist,” he said, adding that focus areas will be North Chennai, Pallikaranai and Kanchipuram. 

To encourage more youngsters, Thirunaranan has roped in students from North Chennai. “Most people think that birdwatching is expensive. But that’s not true. We do the bird count throughout the year and most of our volunteers are students from North Chennai. We want more youngsters to come forward and help document birds in our areas,” he concluded.