Lot of Fingerlings added to Vedanthangal, Karikili Lakes

Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary is one of the oldest bird sanctuaries in India, and has been fiercely protected by the local population for well over 250 years. The authorities introduced 35,000 fish into the lake of Vedanthangal and 15,000 fish into the lake at Karikili. This is done to attract more migratory birds.  Read on for the full story.

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About 50,000 fingerlings were introduced into the lakes at the Vedanthangal and Karikili bird sanctuaries, about 80 km (49.7 miles) from Chennai, on Tuesday. A young fish is called a fingerling.

Every year, over 40,000 birds, including 26 rare species, some from as far as Siberia, make the two sanctuaries their home from November to June. All water bodies surrounding Vedanthangal, which opened for public viewing in the first week of November, are full thanks to the copious rain from the northeast monsoon.

This year, some 35,000 birds of various species, including Little Cormorant, Night Heron, Grey Heron, Spoon Bill, Little Egret, Large Egret, White Ibis, Cattle Egret, Pintail, Common Teal, Pond Heron or Paddy bird, Shoveller Duck, Dab Chick, Indian Moorhen, Darter or Snake bird, Grey Pelican and Open-Billed Stork, have already arrived.

Forest department officials, who introduced 25,000 fingerlings into the lake at Vedanthangal in November, on Tuesday introduced another 35,000 fish into the lake and 15,000 fish into the lake at Karikili, 8km from Vedanthangal.

“Fingerlings and adult fish are the primary feed for the migratory birds. We bought varieties like Katla, Jeelabi, Rohu and Catfish (Kendai) from private farms in Wallajah near Kancheepuram and brought them here in a container filled with the water from the farms,” forest ranger Dr S David Raj, who led the team of officials, told TOI.

Some of the fingerlings will mature within a short period and again lay eggs. The fresh fingerlings will attract many migratory birds and the reproduction cycle will be initiated, forest officials said.

The bird sanctuary, spread over 73 acres off GST Road near Chengalpet, is the oldest in the country. It was developed in 1798 and formally established as a sanctuary in 1858. In 1962, the Madras Forest Act accorded it the status of a reserve forest. A decade later, it was declared a bird sanctuary under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

To know more about Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary view our earlier post

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Vedanthangal-Karikili-lakes-get-fish-boost-to-draw-birds/articleshow/11287121.cms