In 2002, the highest number of painted storks (about 5000) came for breeding purposes to
the lake. Two pelicans had also arrived then but they did not nest in the village. According to the
villagers, during the last 10 years pelicans have stopped nesting in the village: they arrive at the
beginning of the season (December-January), survey the place but do not breed. White ibises
roost on the same trees during the night but they are not seen breeding in the vicinity.
Although the birds do not face any kind of threats from the host village, there are other threats
faced by them:
• Due to heavy rains in the monsoons some of the chicks fall out of their nests.
• Indiscriminate hunting near Karnataka border, which is only 2 km away from the village, is a
major cause for concern. In 2001-2, about 100 chicks starved to death as their parent birds did
not return to the nests, probably killed by the poachers.
• There is a lack of nesting space as the old trees are dying.
• Large-scale fishing in the tanks in the vicinity is depriving the birds of stable feeding grounds.
• The tamarind trees in the village where the storks build their nests are being auctioned by the panchayat for fruit, and while harvesting the bidders cause disturbance to the birds.
• Heavy silting of the feeding tanks has resulted in less water storage, and the tank dries up before
the breeding season ends.
• Some of the trees on which the birds build their nests are in private lands. The villagers have so
far been able to convince the owners not to cut the trees despite their need; however, they feel
that this is only a short-term solution