BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOT Malyadi
	Setting | Threats | Knowledge Individuals | Habitat | Life Scape | Management

 

1. Name of the Hotspot: Malyadi

2. Focal Species: Migratory and Water Birds.

3. Coordinating Team: Dr. N A Madhyastha and Dr. K P Achar.

    Experience/expertise: Ten years experience in Biodiversity Inventorying and                                   monitoring.

4. Investigating Team: N A Aravinda and N A Madhyastha.

    Experience/expertise: Studying birds of the area for more than a decade.

5. Dates of data collection: Since 1998.

6. Process of data collection:

7. Sources of information: Field observations.

8. Number of man-days consumed in data collection: 60 days.(approximately).

1.      Location. 1.5 kms from Thekkatte, NH 17.

2.      Area (in ha or sq.km.): about 1.5 sq kilometer.

3.      Latitude/Longitude/Altitude:

4.      Village/Town/Taluk/District: Malyadi, Kundapur Taluk, Udupi District..

5.      Maps (kind of map and the scale): NA

6.      Mode of access (Distance from Railway/Bus station): Udupi is about 24 kms and Kundapur is about 8 kms from Malyadi. Both Udupi and Kundapur are well connected by road through NH 17 to Malyadi.

7.      Facilities to stay closest to the hotspot. Excellent Hotels available at Udupi and Minipal.

8.      Tariff (if any) to be paid to visit the hotspots: Nil

9.      Controlling authorities: Revenue (Patta)  land held by many people (under Village Panchayat and Revenue Department).

10.  Classes of Landscape: Man made water bodies (Wetlands) surrounded by paddy fields

11.  Water bodies: Water body created due to excavation of top soil for tile factories.

12.  Human populations: 535

13.  Presence of Scheduled tribes or Nomadic tribes population: SC 100

14.  Livestock:155

15.  Irrigation status & Major crops: Paddy (two crops), Pulses such as Urd Dhal and Horse Gram are grown after the harvest of the paddy in the zone of influence.

16.  Significant forest produce: Nil

17.  Quantities recorded at the Range or Divisional Forest offices: nil

18.  Cooperative societies and their transactions: Koteshwara Vyavasaya Seva Sangha, Brach, Thekkatte.

19.  Significant fresh water fish productions: Nil.

20.  Disposal of fishing rights (Leasing/Auctioning/License): Unauthorized fish catch.

21.  Significant estuarine & marine fish/shell fish productions: NA

22.  Number and type of fishing crafts: Nil

23.  Nearest Fishing landing centres: Nil

24.  Availability of fish processing facilities: Nil

25.  Mining and quarrying activities: Top soil is being mined for tile factories.

26.  Sources & extent of air and water pollution: Insignificant.

27.  Prevalence of Human diseases: NA

28.  Prevalence of Livestock diseases: NA

29.  Educational institutions: Higher elementary school and Anganavadi (Nursery)

30.  Cooperative societies: Koteshwara Vyavasaya Seva Sangh, Brach-Tekkatte.

31.  Youth clubs: Mahan Mitra Mandali.

32.  Ladies clubs: Sthrishakti Kendra

33.  Active NGOs: Flora and Fauna Club, Kundapur.

(a)   Preparation of sketch map of the landscape

1.      For zone of influence

2.      For zone of influence

(b)   Description of Habitat types

1.  Habitat type: Wetlands, stream and paddy fields.

2.  Local name (if any) Nil

3.  Approximate total area (ha): Wetland – 1.5 sq kms.

                                                        Paddy field – zone of influence.

4.  Special significance of the habitat type (if any): Bird habitat

5.      Management regimes: Land holders and village Panchayat.

6.      Goods and Services provided by the habitat: Habitat for fish.

                                                                Source of water for cattle.    

                                                                Recreation through bird watching.

            Bads and Disservices provided by the habitat: Nil

7.      Significant ecological processes influenced by the habitat type:

             Birds of the wetlands, through their excreta regenerate the waste wet land into fertile soil, in due course. Water body helps to recharge the underground water source.

Harbours a variety of fish which is the food for birds and the people around.

8.      Significant man- induced processes influenced by the habitat:

            Vegetables are grown during post monsoon months.

            A second crop paddy is grown in some places (suggi) in the wetland.

            Water is lifted by traditional vessel and rope method to irrigate crop.

9.      Interacting individuals and institutions (Local):

            Village Panchayat and Youth club.

10.  Activities:

            Protection to  birds, afforestation and awareness programme.

11.  Interacting individuals and institutions (External):

            Fauna and Flora Club, Kundapura.

12.  Activities: Study and education.

(c)    History of important habitat patches over 10-15/40-50 years

1.      Type and name of the habitat patch: Malyadi Wetland.

2.      Change in

(i)                  Area: Wetland is increasing in area due to excavation of top soil for tile factories since 1968. Fertile paddy fields are converted into wasteland, which holds water till next monsoon. The activity has been stopped since 2002 onwards, because the soil of the rest  of the area is not suitable for tile making.

ii.     Vegetation strata: Succession of water body is taking place with advent of                               water lily, utricularia, sedges, Lymnea, and others.

3.      Aquatic habitat change in

(i)                  Catchment area:

            Aquatic fauna: Increase in bird  and fish diversity and density.

(ii)                Aquatic flora. NA

4.      Significant ecological processes influencing the habitat patch: Secondary succession is taking place.

5.      Significant man induced processes influencing the habitat patch.

6.      Productivity of Goods and Services:

7.      Extent of Bads and Disservices:

8.      Reasons for ongoing changes:

9.      Gainers:

10.  Losers.

11.  Desired changes/Desired future:

12.  Desired management system :

 13.  Suggested component for a feasible management plant for that habitat patch

(a)   Naturally occurring species of significance

Flora

Nymphia pubiscens Wild.

Ceratophyllunm demersum

Drocera burmani

D. indica

Utricularia reticulate

U. aurera

Eriocaulon setaceum (Grass)

Hydroryza aristata (grass)

Panicum auritum (grass)

Paspalidium punctatum (grass)

Ceratoperis thalictroides (fern)

Birds:

Pluvialis fulva (Golden plovers)

P. mongolus (Lesser Sand Plover)

Tringa tetanus  (Red shank)

T. nebularia (Green Shank)

T.stagnatillis (Marsh sandpiper)

T. ochropus   (Green sandpiper)

T. glareola (Wood Sandpiper)

Himantropus himantropus  (Black winged stilt)

Actitis hypoleucos  (Common sand piper)

Gareola lacteal  (Little Pratincole)

Pluvialis squatarola (Grey Plover)

Limosa limosa (Black tailed Godwit)

Arenaris interpres (Turnstone)

Resident Birds:

Egretta garzetta (Little egrets)

Egretta intermedia (Median egrets,)

Ardeola grayii (Pond Heron)

A. striatus (Green Bittern)

Egretta gularis  (Reef Heron)

Bubulcus ibis (Cattle Egret)

Phalacrocorax niger (Little Cormorant)

Milvus migrans (Pariah Kite)

Haliastur indus (Brahmini Kite)

Amauorornis phoenicurus (White breasted Water hen)

Vanellus indicus (Red Wattled Lapwing)

Larus brunnicephalus (Brown headed Gull)

Dicrurus adsimilis (Drongo)

Acridotheres trisits (Indian Myna)

Alcedo etthis (Small blue kingfisher)

Halcyon smyrnensis (White breasted kingfisher)

Ceryle rudis (Pied kingfisher)

Sterna albifrons (Little terns)

Merops orientalis (Small green bee eater)

Ciconia episcopus (White necked stork.)

Threskiornis aethiopica (White Ibis)

Anhinga rufa (Darter)

Ardea cinerea (Grey Heron)

Porphyrio porphyrio (Purple Moorhen)

Dendocygna javanica (Whislting teal)

Sarkidiornis melanotos (Nakta)

Circus aeruginosus (Marsh Harrier)

Fulica atra (Coot)

Metopidius indicus (Bronze winged Jacana)

Saxicola caprata (Bush chat)

Galerida cristata (Crested Lark)

(a)   Perspectives of others

1.      Desired response options of different members of local or outside

communities/institutions/government agencies/industrial or mining undertaking etc.to be recorded):

            The local youth and the members of the Panchyat wants the area to be developed into a bird sanctuary.  They are keen on getting the assistance from the various departments such as Forest and Revenue.

The Flora and Fauna Club of Kundapura and The Indian Naturalist ® Udupi are prepared to help in providing necessary technical help and advice.

      The owners of the tile factories who have been using the soil  of the village have come forward to provide necessary help to develop the area into a bird sanctuary.

2.  Significance of management issues and response options:

            The whole area a  private patta land belong to different people.  Hence it is difficult bring the whole area under a common umbrella. However, by and large land owners are prepared to protect the birds the wetland for the posterity.

3.      Management issues pertaining to

(a)    Habitat and/or:

       Habitat (Wetland)

(b)   Species/variety:

       Migratory and resident birds

(c)    Customary/Administrative:

(d)   Since how long the arrangements have been in practice:

      No management system at  present.

(e)    Changes if any in management pattern over last 10-15/40-50 years:

4.      Desired changes/Desired future: To declare the area as protected area or sanctuary. Different kinds of local species of trees are to be grown to give shelter to birds for rooting.

5.      (a) Desired management system: The area must be protected by the local people, involving the youth club, village panchayat and others who are interested in protecting the area. 

(b) Perspectives of Investigators  

            Malyadi Bird habitat is a unique place, where man made wetlands has become a home of a variety of resident and migratory birds. In fact, the bird community here, is rectifying the damage caused by human activities to the fertile agricultural land.  The excavation of the land, sometimes up to 1.5 to 2 metres, leaves the area water logged for almost whole year.  The guano of the birds enriches the water and soil.

(c) Desired and feasible pattern of management that should be promoted in the opinion of the investigators

            Local people with the help of  knowledgeable outsiders and Government departments should manage the habitat.  Without the participation and keen  interest of the local people the habitat can not be saved. Financial assistance shall be provided by the government.

 (d) Suggested strategy for promoting the desired patterns of management and the communication needs for the purpose;

            The whole area is patta land belonging to different people and there is no government land around.  With consent of the different owners of the land, the whole area can be managed as one unit and bring about desired changes. It should be a cooperative effort of all concerned.  An effort in this direction is urgently needed.

7. Cultural, religious, recreational, scenic, tourist significance of the hotspot

             If developed properly, this habitat can be a bird sanctuary and  a tourist spot.

8. Ecological evaluation of the hotspot:

            No study has been made with respect to ecology of the Malyadi Bird Habitat except that the guano of birds help to regenerate the waste wet land into fertile fields (Madhyastha, 1994).  Hence a comprehensive investigation on the ecology of this area is suggested.

9. Suggested follow up investigations:

            Monitoring of bird diversity in different seasons and their populations fluctuations over years need to be taken up. And also the ecological factors that affect the populations need to be evaluated.

             Educating the local people on the significance and importance of birds is to be taken up to prevent any kind of disturbance in future.

10. Any other suggested follow up;

            Malyadi is one of the few places inUdupi District, where one can see the large congregations of birds, particularly during summer months. The number of migratory birds visiting this spot has increased in the last few years. The whistling teals are found in hundreds and purple moorhens are also quite abundant.  The local farmers say that the purple moorhen destroy their crop by eating on the tender roots. This aspect has to be looked into immediately. 

            Because of rich excreta of birds, the phytoplankton and zooplanktons have increased in number which turn facilitated the increase in fish population.  The Chairman of village Panchayat says that in the last year some outsiders collected fish from this wetland unlawfully, in spite of the protest from the local people. The case has been reported to Deputy Commissioner of Udupi District for necessary protection to fish and in turn to birds. But no action has been taken so far.