Concern over plastic waste, water hyacinth dominating the Lake

Mysore/Mysuru: A bird-watching programme was organised under the joint aegis of Mysore Science Foundation and Aranya Outreach at Kukkarahalli Lake in the city yesterday. Amateur naturalist and bird photographer M.K. Sapthagirish was the resource person.

Over 40 bird enthusiasts participated in the programme and over 55 bird species were spotted. Some of the important species recorded were the globally threatened Spot-Billed Pelican, Black-Headed Ibis, Oriental Darter to name a few.

Some of the birds were also recorded with the young ones like the Bronze-Winged Jacana, Eurasian Coot, Little Grebe and Night Heron. On the island, the birders could record Painted Storks on the nests.

While lecturing the bird watchers on the ways and means to identify and distinguish the bird species, Sapthagirish said that though many species look similar there are minute differences that distinguish birds. Along with bird species, the importance of Lakes, water bodies, food for the birds, habitat, roosting patterns and migrations were explained to the bird watchers who listened with rapt attention.

The group discussed the importance of Lakes as an ecosystem and also its importance in an urban setup. Attention was drawn to the fragile ecosystem that the Kukkarahalli Lake supports and concern was expressed over the relentless discharge of sewage water to the Lake on a day to day basis and also dumping of plastic waste.

He pointed out that certain walkers bring plastic bottles, covers and containers to the Lake during morning and evening walks and irresponsibly dump them into the Lake.

Mysore Science Foundation’s Secretary G.B. Santhosh Kumar said that if birds were to be drawn to the Lake, it is important that the environment of the Lake is made attractive. “Birds will not come here if a Lake is full of plastic covers and bottles. Also, efforts should be made to block the flow of sewage into the Lake. Asphalting the walking pathway will do more damage than imagined,” he said.

Water hyacinth is becoming a bigger threat to the Kukkarahalli Lake as it is spreading at an alarming pace. Though it has been removed partially, early action should be taken to completely remove this or else the biological oxygen demand may rise and have an adverse effect on the ecosystem, said Sapthagirish.

He said that proliferation of water hyacinth needs to be addressed immediately for its sustainable conservation.

Earlier, water hyacinths were on the margins of the Lake. Now they are growing and spreading towards the centre, he noted.