Uppalapadu freshwater lake

Uppalapadu freshwater lake, Guntur

It is a

breeding ground for about 50 local and intercontinental

migratory bird species that have been visiting the lake

throughout the calendar year for generations. This is not

a legally protected area but the local villagers and gram

panchayat take conscious efforts to offer protection to

these avian visitors. In the year 2001, the lake was a

nesting spot for around 1550 birds of diverse species,

such as painted storks and adjutant storks, Asian openbilled

storks and black-headed ibis. As per a report in

January 2007, on an average over 3,500 pelicans and

a similar number of painted storks visit this densely

populated sanctuary. ‘The number of Siberian migratory birds is also high and they have arrived

one month ahead of the regular schedule this year,’ points out Nageswara Rao, caretaker of the

area.

The number of birds inhabiting this small stretch of land/water also makes it an area with one

of the densest populations of migratory birds at any given time anywhere in India—the number of

birds could range between 3,000 and 12,000. Ibises, which arrive around June and leave within

three months, choose to breed here.

Pelicans also breed here: while some of their eggs hatch,

some fall in the water. But no one goes near to rescue them as they get frightened and abandon

the nesting site. About 6,500 locals surrounding the lake take care of the birds that accidentally

fall in the village outside the water. The caretakers rush the injured ones to the local veterinarian

and later release them back into the flock

Sri Mrutumjaya Rao, District Wildlife Warden (Honorary), Guntur district Andhra Pradesh E-mail: [email protected] Susarla Ramesh

Adapted from Susarla Ramesh, The Hindu, Friday, 29 December 2007