Ruff........ Marvels of Mangalajodi Marshland
Male in non-breeding plumage
The Ruff (Philomachus pugnax) is a medium-sized wading bird that breeds in extensive lowland freshwater marshes, damp grasslands and wet meadows across northern Eurasia and spends the northern winter in the tropics, mainly in Africa. Some Siberian breeders undertake an annual round trip of up to 30,000 km (18,500 mi) to the West African wintering grounds.
Mangalajodi, an extensive wetland spanning over 300 sq. km, primarily a freshwater swamp, spotted at the north-eastern fringe along the brackish water of the Chilka Lake in the Khurda district of Orissa, India. Mangalajodi is fed by a number of channels that crisscross through the sprawling vegetation and reed beds, comprised mostly of Phragmites karka and Typha angustata. The wetland is a safe haven of around 236 species of birds (84 resident species), primarily the waterfowls, which attracts a number of winter migrants. Mangalajodi now host 200,000 waterfowls in the peak season (November to March) and has been designated the status of ‘Important Bird Area’ by Birdlife International for its importance as a significant global waterfowl habitat.
Few years back, hunters were very active at Mangalajodi, who used to travel around this wetland with loaded guns in search of migratory birds. After many battles and years of deliberation, the erstwhile poachers today actively patrol and protect their marshes from bird poachers. Born naturalists, they monitor the bird population, co-ordinate with the forest department, assist in research and take tourists around on birding trips into the marshes. The remarkable change from indiscriminate hunting to ardent conservation took place due to the work of the NGO, Wild Orissa with the active support from Chilika Development Authority, Department of Forest and Environment, and the leadership shown by some of the village youth in forming the Sri Sri Mahavir Pakshi Suraksha Samiti (Bird Protection Committee) in 2000. The Samiti has begun a fledgling ecotourism initiative; Wild Orissa has trained some youth as birding guides, while Chilika Development Authority has funded a watchtower and visitors’ centre.
How do you convert a village of hardened poachers into committed conservationists? Read:
Ruff........ Marvels of Mangalajodi Marshland
Male in non-breeding plumage
The Ruff (Philomachus pugnax) is a medium-sized wading bird that breeds in extensive lowland freshwater marshes, damp grasslands and wet meadows across northern Eurasia and spends the northern winter in the tropics, mainly in Africa. Some Siberian breeders undertake an annual round trip of up to 30,000 km (18,500 mi) to the West African wintering grounds.
Mangalajodi, an extensive wetland spanning over 300 sq. km, primarily a freshwater swamp, spotted at the north-eastern fringe along the brackish water of the Chilka Lake in the Khurda district of Orissa, India. Mangalajodi is fed by a number of channels that crisscross through the sprawling vegetation and reed beds, comprised mostly of Phragmites karka and Typha angustata. The wetland is a safe haven of around 236 species of birds (84 resident species), primarily the waterfowls, which attracts a number of winter migrants. Mangalajodi now host 200,000 waterfowls in the peak season (November to March) and has been designated the status of ‘Important Bird Area’ by Birdlife International for its importance as a significant global waterfowl habitat.
Few years back, hunters were very active at Mangalajodi, who used to travel around this wetland with loaded guns in search of migratory birds. After many battles and years of deliberation, the erstwhile poachers today actively patrol and protect their marshes from bird poachers. Born naturalists, they monitor the bird population, co-ordinate with the forest department, assist in research and take tourists around on birding trips into the marshes. The remarkable change from indiscriminate hunting to ardent conservation took place due to the work of the NGO, Wild Orissa with the active support from Chilika Development Authority, Department of Forest and Environment, and the leadership shown by some of the village youth in forming the Sri Sri Mahavir Pakshi Suraksha Samiti (Bird Protection Committee) in 2000. The Samiti has begun a fledgling ecotourism initiative; Wild Orissa has trained some youth as birding guides, while Chilika Development Authority has funded a watchtower and visitors’ centre.
How do you convert a village of hardened poachers into committed conservationists? Read: