Atapaka Bird Sanctuary, located at Kolleru Lake in Andhra Pradesh, has become a haven for nature enthusiasts and bird watchers due to the influx of migratory birds during the winter season.
Population of Migratory Birds
- High Arrival Numbers: Around 1.50 lakh migratory birds arrived in various sanctuaries, water bodies, and wetlands across Andhra Pradesh this migratory season.
- Specific Counts: Notable counts include 50,000 birds at Kolleru Lake, 43,130 birds at Coringa Sanctuary, 37,150 birds at Pulicat Lake, 16,000 birds at Nelapattu, and 8,000 birds at Uppalapadu.
Conservation Efforts
- Forest Department Initiatives: The Forest Department erected artificial mounds and iron stands to provide nesting areas for migratory birds.
- Community Involvement: Villagers played a crucial role in protecting the birds, ensuring a safe environment for them.
Bird Species Observed
- Diverse Species: Indian skimmers, great knots, greater flamingos, pelicans, painted storks, little egrets, northern pintail, Indian pond herons, Eurasian coots, glossy ibis, and many others were sighted.
- Yearly Visits: Thousands of birds visit Atapaka annually, some of which breed and return with their offspring the following winter.
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs):
- How many migratory birds arrived in Andhra Pradesh during the recent migratory season?
- a) 100,000
- b) 1.50 lakh
- c) 200,000
- d) 50,000
- Answer: b) 1.50 lakh
- Which sanctuary recorded the highest count of migratory birds?
- a) Atapaka Bird Sanctuary
- b) Coringa Sanctuary
- c) Pulicat Lake
- d) Nelapattu
- Answer: b) Coringa Sanctuary
- What efforts were made by the Forest Department to support migratory birds?
- a) Erecting artificial mounds and iron stands
- b) Building new sanctuaries
- c) Introducing predator species
- d) Fencing off the lake area
- Answer: a) Erecting artificial mounds and iron stands
- Who thanked the villagers for their role in protecting the birds at the sanctuaries and wetlands?
- a) Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh
- b) Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife)
- c) Head of the local village council
- d) Director of the Wildlife Photography Association
- Answer: b) Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife)
- What did a villager named V. Rambabu mention about the birds at Atapaka?
- a) They migrate from Africa.
- b) They visit only during summer.
- c) They breed and return with their young ones the following winter.
- d) They primarily come from neighboring states.
- Answer: c) They breed and return with their young ones the following winter.