The Konkan coastline is known for its rich marine life and avifauna and is a major attraction for wildlife enthusiasts.
The Konkan coastline is known for its rich marine life and avifauna and is a major attraction for wildlife enthusiasts keen to spot birds such as the Indian swiftlet, white-bellied sea eagle, and white- backed vultures.
But till recently, it was difficult to spot these birds, which were nearing extinction due to the twin threats of poaching and habitat destruction. The Indian Swiftlet is in Schedule I of Critically Endangered Species.
Now, thanks to the effort of the Sahyadri Nisarg Mitra (SNM), a non-governmental organisation involved in wildlife conservation, these birds are being brought back from the brink of extinction. The crusade to save the birds began when SNM enthusiasts visited Vengurla rocks near Ratnagiri for birdwatching.
“On April 8, 2001, we were delighted to see Indian swiftlets flying near the skyline and at the seaside entrance of the cave on Bandra rocks (near Vengurla rocks),” said Vishwas Katdare, founder of SNM.
But the activists were shocked find a cave full of bamboo scaffolding, erected by poachers. “The poachers were not interested in the bird or its eggs. Their target was the nest, which has great demand in China who see it possessing medicinal value,” recalled Katdare.
The SNM activists not only informed the forest department, which raided the caves and arrested the poachers soon after, but began serious conservation efforts to save the birds from becoming extinct. The SNM began to involve the local people in the conservation effort even as it appealed to the central government to list the Indian swiftlet in Schedule I, which was granted recently.
These exertions have improved the situation though the swiftlet remains an endangered species. SNM activists were pleased to find a cave full of nests, each with an egg or two a few weeks ago. “It was moment of immense satisfaction to see the cave full of nests having eggs,” said Katdare. Bimal Majumdar, principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) has praised SNM. “They have done a remarkable job and we hope that more will follow in their footsteps and help conserve wildlife,” he said.
It is not just the Indian swiftlet but also the population of the white-bellied sea eagle and white-backed vulture that have increased due to the effort of the SNM.
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