Feathers of Vellayani

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Birds, the most popular life forms on the planet abound with wonders. They delight us with their richness of life, with their intrinsically colourful plumage and with their tuneful melodious song and their amazingly complex artistic behaviour. They fascinate us with their appearance and glorious adaptation of flight that every mind dreams of being able to do what birds do - as a matter, of course fly.

Avian diversity is one of the most important constituents of overall biodiversity. Birds are found in almost all types of habitats present on the earth and play their vital role in various food chains and food webs. As vital components in the ecosystem, birds control insect pests, pollinate flowers, distribute seeds, and balance the ecosystem as food for other animals and by controlling other animal populations. Their guano deposits have very important role in biogeochemical cycling of various forms of elements, like phosphorus cycle. Birds continue to be important indicators of our ecosystems, acting as barometers of overall habitat quality and "telling" us how we are faring as stewards of our planet.

Globially there are around 9000 species of birds living today, with a tremendous diversity of life style. India recorded 1,168 bird species in the country and has been ranked ninth in the global list of bird wealth. The conservation status of birds in the country indicate that there are 14 species critically endangered, 13 endangered, 51 vulnerable and 64 belonging to near-threatened category and 1,026 to least concerned. Kerala has 500 species of birds, 17 of which are endemic to Western Ghats, and 24 species fall under the various threatened categories of IUCN.

The largest threat to Indian avian diversity is habitat destruction. The loss of forests, plains and other natural systems to agriculture, mines, urban development, draining of swamps and other wetlands, reduce potential habitat for many species. Unfair alteration in habitat due to introduction and invasion of exotic species is also proving threat to birds. Another is path-barriers that claim millions of migratory birds every year. Poaching, predation, weather and other natural and anthropogenic barriers prove devastating for birds' lives. It is sad to note that despite their ability and adaptability, bird populations are threatened as never before.

The present study was taken up with a view to assess the diversity of bird species in Vellayani and adjoining wetlands. An attempt has also been made to identify the local status of birds along with the population trends of migratory species.

Vellayani Kayal, the way Vellayani Lake is known in Malayalam, is a vast picturesque rain fed lake surrounded by lush greenery situated to the south-east of Thiruvananthapuram city about 9 kms away. It is one of the largest fresh water lakes in the district, lying in Venganoor, Kalliyoor panchayaths and parts of Thiruvananthapuram Corporation. Its precise location is on the north-west of Vellayani Temple and East of Agricultural College with high lands on the sides. The lake and its environs are low lying areas with boundaries stretching from Nemom on the North-East, Vellayani on the East, Kakkamoola on the South, Kalliyoor and Vandithadam on the west and Karumom on the North. The five panchayats surrounding the lake are Thiruvallam, Kalliyoor, Venganoor, Nemom and Kovalam. The lake is aligned in North-South direction and lies between 8 °24'09"-8 °26' 30" N; 76 °59"08 to 76 °59'47" E. The topography of the place is such that it is always water logged. Runoff water collecting in the above area due to geographical conditions causes the submergence. The land being low-lying the water table is above the ground level thus making the area permanently water logged. The lake bed is at a raised level compared to the adjoining swampy areas. This stimulates water percolation which keeps up a steady water level even during the summer season. Punchakkari, the vast expanse of wetlands bordering the lake, includes marsh, ponds, swamps and fields. The entire Punchakkari wetland lies in Kalliyoor gramapanchayat and this is considered to be the most productive area in vegetable cultivation. Its biodiversity supports the livelihood of people around the lake. The residents of the nearby gramapanchayats of Kalliyoor, Venganoor, and Vizhinjam depend on the lake for their supply of fresh water. The lake and surrounding wetlands are habitat to a rich variety of flora and fauna.

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