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03-1--2011
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PROF.R.K.TRIVEDY,
EDITOR
ENVIROMEDIA,
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Sub: Submission of Manuscript entitled Conservation and management strategies
for Nelapattu bird sanctuary, Andhra Pradesh for favour of publication in
Ecology, Environment and Conservation
Sir,
I am herewith enclosing a manuscript entitled Conservation and management
strategies for Nelapattu bird sanctuary, Andhra Pradesh in duplicate along with a
CD for favour of publication in your Ecology, Environment and Conservation Kindly
acknowledge the receipt of the same at our earliest convenience.
Yours sincerely,
Encl:
1. Manuscript
2. C.D

Title of the paper:

Conservation and management strategies for Nelapattu bird sanctuary,
Andhra Pradesh
Authors
C.V. NARASIMHA MURTHY
and
P.GEORGEENA KUMARI
Organisation:
Department of Zoology, Jawahar Bharati Degree & P.G. College,
Kavali, SPSR Nellore (Dt)
Key words:
Conservation, management strategies, Nelapattu bird sanctuary,

Corresponding Author:
Dr.C.V.Narasimha murthy,
Reader & Head
Department of Zoology
J.B.DEGREE & P.G. COLLEGE,
KAVALI,
NELLORE DT. A.P.
PIN: 524 201

CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES

NELAPATTU BIRD SANCTUARY, ANDHRA PRADESH

FOR

C.V.Narasimha murthy* and P.Georgeena Kumari

Department of Zoology
Jawahar Bharati Degree and P.G. College, Kavali.

ABSTRACT

At present, the Nelapattu sanctuary is the biggest pelicanry in India. As it is now

very well known that the gray pelican is an endangered species, everything possible
should be done to protect it from extinction, by intelligent management and control of all
the factors connected with its survival. Hence in the present study an attempt is made to
study the various conservation strategies for saving gray pelicans. There is an urgent need
to develop the Nelapattu tank area as a very sound swamp ecosystem to be the home of
winter breeding migrants. Some of the important conservation and management
strategies are rising of an ambush cover on the tank embankment, creation of wildlife
conservation consciousness among people, amplification of the anthropogenic
attachments and protection and improvement of the existing forest in the sanctuary is
highly essential. It emphasized that nesting space, nesting material, proximity of water as
insulating medium, fishing grounds and protection from human activity, that were found
to be governing the success of the Nelapattu sanctuary and the survival of Grey Pelican.

Key words:
Conservation, management strategies, Nelapattu bird sanctuary,

Introduction:
The Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary is one of the largest pelican habitats in Southeast
Asia (Manakadan, and Kannan, 2003). About 187 bird species are known to occur in the
Sanctuary, of which 50 are migratory (Sharma and Raghavaiah 2002). The Grey or Spotbilled Pelican, White Ibis, Asian Open bill, Little Cormorant, Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea
leucorodia and the Black-crowned Night Heron are some of the major breeders. Other
waterfowl species include Dabchick Tachybaptus ruficollis, Northern Pintail Anas acuta,
Common Teal A. crecca, Northern Shoveler A. clypeata, Garganey A. querquedula,
Gadwall A. strepera, Coot Fulica atra, Grey Heron Ardea cinerea, Darter Anhinga
melanogaster, Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus and various egrets, terns and
other waders.
The pivotal conservation issue on which the survival of this pelicanry depends is
the growth of Barringtonia trees. Since the devastating cyclone of 1984, during which
large numbers of old Barringtonia trees were uprooted and the tank bund breached, the
Sanctuary has not regained its past glory. Pumping of water from tank, decline in
Barringtonia trees, Water Pollution are serious threats to these birds. Due to sewage,
pesticides, agricultural chemicals and industrial effluents from Arani and Kalangi rivers
draining into the lake water is polluted. Apart from this lot of aquaculture activities are
going in the vicinity causing water pollution. In the present study an attempt is made to
suggest suitable conservation strategies,
STUDY AREA
Nelapattu bird sanctuary located in Doravarisattram mandal of Sullurpet taluk of
Sri Potti Sreeramulu Nellore district in Andhra Pradesh. It is about 105 km from Chennai
city on the Kolkata National highway No 5. It is accessible by rail, road and air. It is one
of the largest habitats for pelicans in Southeast Asia. The Nelapattu bird sanctuary is
home to many native as well as migratory birds. The sanctuary is about 458.92 ha,

comprising Kalluru reserve forest of 288.15 ha, Nelapattu tank of 82.56 ha and
unreserved forest areas of 88.22 ha. The Sanctuary has Swamp Forests in the tank portion
and Southern Dry Evergreen Scrub Forests in the Reserve and Unreserved Forest. The
dominant species are Manilkara hexandra, Maba buxifolia and Buchanania angustifolia in
the Reserve and Unreserved forests, and Barringtonia acutangula in the tank area.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
This work is mainly field-oriented, with very limited laboratory work. The data for this
inquiry was collected between 2004-2009. The field work was extensive and involved in
the process of developing conservation strategies.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Development of Nelapattu tank
Development of the Nelapattu tank amounts to the development of the habitat.
and it is the most important factor for the survival of migratory birds whose existence is
now threatened. The following suggestions are made for the improvement and
development of the sanctuary at Nelapattu.
Strengthening of the Tank Bund (Embankment)
one of the first things to be done is to strengthen the tank bund by increasing its
present height by 1 m, and its width by 1 m. And the inner side of the embankment
should be riveted and made strong with stones and rubble to prevent soil erosion. This
step also helps in the retention of water to the maximum that is received during the
monsoons.
Transplantation of Barringtonia trees
Transplantation of Barringtonia trees is the second step in the strategy of
conservation (Philip et al. 1998). Barringtonia aculeata trees which are found in the tank
proper are used by the pelicans as their roosting/breeding ground. These trees have the
capacity to withstand submergence throughout the year, and they are a very slowgrowing species. Therefore raising a Barringtonia aculeata plantation would require a lot
of time and cannot meet the immediate need for roosting/breeding ground for the
increasing pelican population every year. And hence, tree-transplantation is the only

alternative. Grey pelicans are breeding at Nelapattu in association with open bill strokes,
white ibises and little cormorants, whose number is also increasing and whose needs to
have to be met with, to help them to survive (Santharam et al. 1993). Therefore to
support the increasing number of the other migrants, around each Barringtonia aculeata
tree patch, small islands of 1.5 m diameter and 3 m height, 5 in number should be
formed, and on them babul trees which are a fast-growing species, and which can
withstand submergence for longer periods in an year should be planted. They would serve
as breeding sites for the pelican associates.
Deepening the tank to accommodate more water
While islands are formed in the tank, and the embankment of the tank is
strengthened, the soil from the tank proper should also be dug and utilized. Because
increase in the tank depth leads to accommodation of more water in the tank.
Stabilization of the Barringtonia trees
Whenever there are cyclonic storms the Barringtonia aculeata trees in the tank
proper naturally bend in the direction in which gusty winds blow. On such occasions
there is every possibility of the trees being uprooted due to their swampy habitat, as
happened during cyclone which uprooted 40 Barringtonia trees from the Nelapattu tank.
Hence, to stabilize them, it is suggested that an earthen mound of 1 m height with a base
radius of 2 m may be built around each tree so that it remains stable and withstand the
gusty wind.
Digging the protection trench
Digging a protection trench of 2 m x 2 m around the ecotone edge of the tank and
the forest land is necessary to keep cattle, human beings, dogs and such biotic
interferences out of reach of the trees in the tank. The soil dug out during the process
could be used to build mounds at the lower edge, leaving gaps at the catchments inward
drain points, and indigenous fast growing trees species may be planted on the mound.
Providing supplementary water resources
If the monsoon gets delayed and / or rainfall becomes scanty, the tank will not
have sufficient water in it. This is not an uncommon experience. This is a limiting factor
for the survival of gray pelicans, which require sufficient water. Therefore additional
water resources have to be tapped from ground water through submergible bore wells,

and water thus obtained canalized into the tank as and when necessary. Such an
arrangement improves the survival of siblings.
Providing additional feed sources
The Nelapattu tank has to be provided with fish seed and prawn seed during the
migrating season so that they support the feed of growing hatchlings at the tank itself.
Protection of forest cover
The Nelapattu tank is surrounded by 100 ha of forest growth. This acts as a
refuge/ambush cover and a source of nest material for the birds. Krishna (2004) infers
that the availability of sufficient nesting material in the vicinity is an important factor for
the nesting of birds. Therefore to protect the existing forest from biotic interferences at
Nelapattu
Raising of ambush cover (Vegetation corridor on the Tank Bund)
The importance of Nelapattu bird sanctuary is getting recognized day by day, and
the number of visitors arriving at the sanctuary is increasing. At present the tank is the
only place to view the birds from a reasonable distance. The movements of the visitors
may cause disturbance to the roosting/nesting/breeding of the birds. But the visitors can
not be totally restricted from viewing the birds as the purpose of their visit is to educate
themselves about wildlife and to sharpen their consciousness of conservation of nature.
Promoting such awareness in them goes a long way in protecting and preserving nature
and natural resources.
To accommodate both the objectives, it is essential to raise a vegetation corridor
on the tank bund with small openings here and there to enable the visitors to view the
birds. Babul, which is a fast growing species and which can tolerate prolonged periods of
inundation, would be the best choice for this purpose. Two or three rows of Babul may be
raised on either side of the tank bund, so that crowns would join at the top, forming a
vegetation corridor. This would not only serve as an ambush cover for the birds but also
provide shade to the visitors during the sunny days of March to May, while they walk on
the bund for viewing the birds.
Creation of conservation consciousness

Owing to the publicity given to the Nelapattu sanctuary the number of visitors to
it has enormously increased. It is indeed a welcome development, as it indicates a
growing interest among the people in wildlife. However, there are precautions to be taken
lest the crowding of the place with human beings should adversely affect the birds of the
sanctuary. Not only proper facilities and conveniences for the visitors have to be provided
but particular care has to be taken that they will not meddle with the birds and disturb
their peace. In the tourist zone, which is away at a safe distance from the other two,
tourists are allowed. Unless the sanctuary is managed on sound lines and the steadily
increasing influx of visitors regulated, the birds finding refuge in the sanctuary may be
scared away.
To manage the visitors, self-guided trails and watch-towers should be built at
salient points, and the visitors should be provided with binoculars and telescopes to
observe the birds and their behavior without their knowledge.
Amplification of anthropogenic attachments
There has been for a long time, an anthropogenic attachment between the
migratory birds and people living in the neighborhood villages, which has made existence
for the birds possible at Nelapattu. This relationship continues even now, though certain
changes have taken place ever since the Forest Department took control of the tank,
declared it as a sanctuary and introduced certain necessary conservation measures. Prior
to the declaration of it as a sanctuary, this tank and the forest area near it were used by the
nearby villagers to meet their various needs. The forest was used as grazing ground for
their cattle. They collected fire-wood from it and minor forest produce. The water of the
tank was used for irrigation of their lands. When the Forest Department restricted the
release of water for irrigation, and objected to the entry of cattle and collection of
firewood from the forest; the villagers who were unhappy, and tried to resist the moves of
the Department. If this situation were allowed to continue, it would have adversely
affected the birds arrival. Low water levels at Nelapattu on earlier occasions resulted in a
high percentage of nestling mortality. Therefore it is necessary to solve this problem
permanently
CONCLUSION

Nelapattu bird sanctuary is ecologically very sensitive and fragile. The east coast
is vulnerable to cyclones. With the hundreds of prawn farms along be coast excavating
sand along the coastline every possibility exists for inviting the sea to enter and destroy
the water table. Further, prawn farms destroy sand dunes and vegetation and in times of
tidal waves sea water could enter in a big way. The pumping of water by aqua farms will
result in an artificial drying up of the lake. Added to this the road from Sullurpet that has
been constructed for reaching the Sriharikota rocket launching site through the lake has
obstructed free flow of water. The tragedy is that if prawn farms are erected on the
higher side of the lake, the effluent from the prawn farms will flow down into the lake
causing serious damage to marine and estuarine biota.
. The conservation strategies such as protection and improvement of the existing
forest in the sanctuary, rising of an ambush cover on the tank embankment, deepening the
tank to accommodate more water, and transplantation of Barringtonia trees is felt.
Creation of wildlife conservation consciousness among people and amplification of the
anthropogenic attachments are suggested.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors are thankful to UGC for the financial assistance in the form of Major
Research project grant.
REFERENCES

Manakadan, R. and Kannan, V. (2003) A study of Spot Billed Pelican Pelecanus

philippensis in Southern India with special reference to its Conservation. Final Report.
Bombay Natural History Society.
Philip, V. M., Rao, A. N. J. and Sridhar, B. N. (1998) Birding at Nelapattu and
Vedurupattu Bird Refuges, Andhra Pradesh. Newsletter for Birdwatchers 38(1):1-3. li
Santharam, V. (1993) Nelapattu Time to sound the Alarm. Mayura 10: 34-35.
Sharma, P. K. and Raghavaiah, P. S. (2002) Effect of rainfall on Grey Pelican (Pelecanus
philippensis) arriving and breeding at Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary, Andhra Pradesh. Indian
Forester 10: 1101-1105