Challenge

Saltpans in Tamil Nadu are becoming increasingly important for the conservation of waterbirds as a consequence of the loss or degradation of many natural coastal wetlands that are being systematically drained or transformed for, or a result of, industrial and urban development. The saltpans of Kanyakumari district in particular were found to be key habitat for thousands of wintering and over-summering birds including the Greater Flamingo, as well as habitat for Common, Lesser Crested, and Greater Crested terns on their way to their wintering destinations across the Indian Ocean. In recent years, the numbers of several avian species using these habitats in the region has been observed to be decreasing. This is corresponding with the abandonment and subsequent degradation of the saltpans, leading to decreased freshwater flows within the system and increased desert-like conditions.

Conservation Actions

Working in collaboration with the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), we are enriching and restoring abandoned saltpans in Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu, to provide roosting, nesting and feeding sites for migratory and resident waterbirds.

Saltpans in Tamil Nadu belong to the state government; lessees periodically bid to lease them for a given amount of time. The largest saltpans in Puthalam Panchayat (Kanyakumari District) have been largely unused for several years now. Of these saltpans, approximately 250 acres are reservoirs to store seawater/brackish water. The following actions are being taken:

• Existing pumping facilities will be strengthened to channel the sea water into the condensers (shallower pans) to maintain them as bird habitats for at least 20,000 resident and migratory wetland birds, throughout the year.
• Brine shrimp and polychaetae will be cultured within the ponds to create food sources for the birds.
• Seasonal fishing systems will be put in place to the direct benefit of at least 5 fisherfolk families.
• 300 local youth will be engaged in migratory bird and wetland habitat conservation education.
• At least 3 local youth will be trained to guide tourists through the salt pans during migratory bird season, as a source of supplementary income.

Impacts

• At least a 20% increase in numbers of migratory terns passing through the region between July and September, use the salt pan habitat.
• At least a 20% increase in wader species (including Black-winged Stilts, Kentish Plovers and Great Thicknees) use the saltpans for nesting.
• At least five fishermen families benefited from use of ponds for fishing, between April to August (non-migratory season).
• Awareness of the importance of wetland habitats and birds is increased amongst at least 300 students.
• At least 3 local youth are trained to work as birdwatching guides.

Progress

• Created channels and deepened the salt pan ponds to increase freshwater flows (from Manakudy estuary) and carrying capacity of 110 acres of salt pan in Kanyakumari.
• Put in place systems to monitor the impact of changing the freshwater levels through bird counts. During the northward passage time (towards the end of 2021), an increase in the number of migratory birds has been observed, including 2,000 sea terns and 450 Greater Flamingos. Numbers of some wader species like Little Stints, Lesser Sand Plover, Common Redshank, and Grey Plover have also increased. Other observed species include Ruddy Turnstone, Eurasian Curlew, and a Broad-billed Sandpiper (for the first time). The release of water from the estuary into the saltpan brought in thousands of fingerlings which in turn attracted fish-eating birds such as the Great Egret, Black-headed Ibis and Eurasian Spoonbill.
• Released approximately 3,000 juvenile shrimps into the pans, with the assistance of Mr. Ruban (an expert on benthic fauna and Research Scholar at Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tamil Nadu). These were collected from the adjoining backwaters (Rajakkamangalam).
• Reduced the impacts of increasingly unsuitable nesting/roosting conditions for the waterbirds, by building artificial platforms using bamboo rafts supported by wood poles in and around the saltpans. A team of seven people including locals and researchers lined up 20-25 wood planks tied together with plastic string. Seven to eight wood sticks were tied together and placed between two supporting poles and tied, with the pillars. The functioning of the artificial roosts were monitored consistently - due to the high water level and windy conditions, the platforms were found to be unstable and had sunk into the water. The platforms were subsequently reconstructed using stone pillars. Presently, a total of five bench-like artificial roosting platforms were installed at Mohanan Saltpan with the assistance of 4-5 local people.
• A severe storm event damaged a bund and caused significant flooding in the largest salt pan in early 2022. Therefore, funds were diverted to repairs and climate proofing of the bunds are being implemented in the form of vegetation plantations on & around the bund. Bird abundance temporarily declined in February/March 2022.