This story is from July 30, 2015

Panamaram heronry set to be state's first conservation reserve

After imposing curbs on construction of highrises in the environmentally fragile hill district, the Wayanad district administration is moving ahead with its proactive conservation agenda.
Panamaram heronry set to be state's first conservation reserve
KOZHIKODE: After imposing curbs on construction of highrises in the environmentally fragile hill district, the Wayanad district administration is moving ahead with its proactive conservation agenda.
The authorities are finalizing steps to declare the Panamaram heronry, one of the most diverse heronries in the state and the largest heronry in Malabar, as the first conservation reserve in the state.

The heronry, situated on a small islet on the Kabani river, is a breeding ground for many globally threatened water bird species.
Ornithologists and environmentalists have long been urging the government to declare the site a protected area as it has been facing threats due to sand mining and destruction of bamboo groves following gregarious flowering.
Wayanad district collector Keshvendra Kumar said the heronry would be declared the first conservation reserve in the state once the local panchayat gave the nod.
"Once it becomes a conservation reserve, it will be easy to access funds from the Centre and state governments for its protection and development. Also, it would provide a greater role for local community in the protection of the area," he said.
Conservation reserve is a relatively new category of 'protected areas' introduced through an amendment in the Wildlife Protection Act in 2003. It provides a greater role for local communities, stakeholders and the civil society to protect areas of conservation value that cannot be designated under strict categories such as wildlife sanctuaries or national parks. Currently there are 65 conservation reserves in the country spread across ten states.

The collector said the administration also planned to explore the tourism potential of the area in an ecologically sustainable manner.
President of Wayanad Prakrithi Samrakshana Samithi, N Badusha said that apart from the conservation benefits, protection of area would have a positive impact on the agricultural ecosystem and local livelihoods.
Experts opined that besides the white ibis, the heronry was also a breeding haven for the oriental white ibis which is classified as 'near threatened' by the International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and other rare species like bronze-winged jacana.
The other heron species which have been spotted breeding in the heronry are purple heron (Ardea purpurea), pond heron (Ardeola grayii), night heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) and several egrets.
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About the Author
K R Rajeev

Rajeev is the Special Correspondent with The Times of India in Kozhikode. He has 10 years’ experience in journalism. He was with The New Indian Express and with the information department at Ras-al-Khaimah before joining TOI. He handles the education and the politics beat.

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