Siberian Pelicans shun Gowthavaram

Inadequate facilities, hunter menace, lack of govt patronage cited as causes

Ongole: The number of migratory Pelican birds from Siberia coming to Gowthavaram in Racharla mandal of Prakasam district, for several hundred years is becoming less because of inadequate facilities and constant hunter menace. Though born here, these birds frequent the famous location in the State between December and May, form nests, rear the young ones and return to their adopted country. B

irds in pairs travel thousands of kilometres to reach Gowthavaram, select huge trees for preparing the nests. They hatch their eggs and bring up the young ones in the process facing many hardships, including search for water. These winged visitors have to travel hundreds of kilometres for securing the precious life-giver. It is during this travel, the birds fall victims to the attacks by hunters.

There have been many instances of the off-spring, too, succumbing waiting for the loving and tender care of the parent birds. Such instances are occurring on a daily basis on the trees and nests in Gowthavaram, despite the fact that local residents, particularly farmers, look forward to the winged visitors. Ryots view the Pelicans’ migration as a good augury and accord a warm welcome to them.

They also strive to make the birds’ stay as pleasant as possible, without any encouragement from the district administration, because of their belief that the visitors ensure peace and prosperity to them. The number of migratory Pelicans coming to Gowthavaram is also falling because of the lack of official patronage.

This year, only half of the winged visitors came to the village. This is also being attributed to a local tank getting dried up. None is bothered about this tragic happening. Residents of Gowthavaram, like Ramakrishna and Ramprasad, have called for efforts by the district administration to save the Pelicans from the strikes of hunters.