Introduction
The document proposes the Action Plan and Management Strategies for the natural breeding habitat of Spotbilled Pelicans (a threatened bird species) at Kokkarebellur, where the promotion of “eco-tourism” by the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) is on the anvil. Promoting tourism in irreplaceable ecologically sensitive habitats need to be treated with caution. In promoting this unique breeding habitat of the Spotbilled Pelicans and Painted Storks as a centre for eco-tourism, we emphasize on improving the livelihood of the stakeholders, the villagers, to make this proposed tourism sustainable, people friendly, educative, economically viable, and ecologically less hazardous.
Background
Kokkarebellur
is one of the five last breeding sites for the globally threatened bird species,
the Spotbilled Pelican (Pelecanus
phillipensis) in India. The
village of Kokkare Bellur in Mandya district constitutes as one of the
Biodiversity Hotspots of Hope identified during the process of preparation of
the Karnataka State of Environment Report and Action Plan.
The village also offers niches for a vast majority of other birds including
Painted Storks, Little Cormorants, Little Egrets, Black Ibis, Grey Herons, Night
Herons, Pond Herons and Glossy Ibis. This
was the Pelicanry that was probably referred to by Jerdon in 1853. In modern
times it was made widely known by Shri S G Neginhal, an officer of Indian Forest
Service known for his knowledge and wide experience of wild life conservation in
1976. He was also responsible for introducing the pioneering scheme of
compensating the villagers for the economic benefits foregone and the protection
afforded to the birds. This region is also one of the finest examples of
inimitable coexistence of humans and birds. The villagers benefit from the
“guano” (bird droppings) rich in phosphorus and potassium that accumulates
under the nesting trees that is used as manure.
Last Updated 31st July 2004 - Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore - 560 012, India