Eco walk in Pallikaranai marsh

Program : Eco walk in Pallikaranai swamp

Date : 5th february, 2011

The Eco walk in Pallikaranai marsh was arranged by Go Green community to create awareness among our associates on how to preserve the marsh and its inhabitants. The program was scheduled at 5^th(Saturday), February 2011. We were asked to assemble at TCO office, Thoraipakkam at 6:30 AM.

We reached at 6:15 AM with great enthusiasm. We had two buses waiting for us to take us to the Marsh. We waited for some time for the crew members to arrive. It was around 7 AM we all boarded the bus and reached Pallikaranai marsh reserve forest in another 15 minutes.It occupies the area on both sides of the road connecting IT Highway and Velachery main road.We were accompanied by Dr. R J Ranjit Daniels and Dr. Jayshree Vencatesan members of an NGO named Care Earth Trust. While we got down from the bus we saw them waiting for us with a great smile near the marsh reserve office. They were excited seeing our crowd in 2 buses. We were divided into two groups. Dr.Daniels and Dr.Jayshree took the groups each on either side of the road.

Dr.jayshree gave us a brief introduction about the marsh.I was with Dr.Daniels's group. It was 7:30 AM. The marsh was foggy with not much visibility. Still we found a great folk of birds on either side of the road. I had a wrong thought that only garbage will be found here. But on seeing this great count of birds I felt that I was wrong. Few of us had Cameras and Dr.Daniels had a Hi-end Binocular which we all shared. Below are the photos taken from my Canon Camera which has 35xOptical zoom.

Dr.Daniels said that the marsh is a habitat of variety of birds, reptiles, fishes, insects and few animals. More than 100 species of resident and migratory birds were recorded from the Pallikaranai marshlands. Of the total birds seen, 76 species were breeding residents and 25 winter visitors. It occupies an area of more than around 500 hectares .

Not getting exhausted Dr.Daniels answered all our confusions and queries very politely throughout the program. We started walking beside the road towards Velachery main road. The first thing we saw was the Garganey ducks swimming in the marsh which is the most common duck species seen there.

Garganey ducks swimming in the marsh

These ducks fly to a great height which was an attractive sight there. The presence of flora and fauna in the marsh balances the food chain.

Garganey ducks - flying

Even though the area is covered by garbage mount on the north side the birds still visit the marsh. Tamil Nadu government has said that they will stop dumping garbage in the marsh by the end of 2012 Dr. Daniels added. A number of plant species was also found there. He said that the plants in the swamp act as a natural filter preventing the toxic contents from garbage to pollute marsh fresh water.We heard that this swamp fresh water has fishes like dwarf Gowrami and Chromide are seen in a large amount. The biggest bird is Pelican and the smallest one found here is Zitting Cisticola.

A Small Bird found in this marsh

It was too tiny to see with our naked eyes from an optimal distance. We will not be able to figure out this tiny creature with out the help of Dr.Daniels. Thanks Daniels :). I took a couple of snaps of it with out disturbing the nature.

We were taken to a place where the bird-watching view is wide. Egret is the most common white bird with black legs found. It looks similar to common crane. Spot-billed pelicans are also seen here.

Egret bird

Black winged stilts are small birds seen in thousands count. They fly in a huge group and the sight was so beautiful. The beaks and wings were black with white feathered body.

Black winged stilts

Now we crossed to the other side of the road and slowly walked back seeing the birds and other residents there. Dr.Daniels explained us the bad effects of dumping garbage and shrinking of the marsh by constructions around it.Dr.Daniels showed us one of the very rare species of hen seen here. It is called Purple moorhen or purple swamp hen. The color of this hen is eye-catching. They fly like other birds.

Purple moorhen or purple swamp hen

This side had a variety of butterflies and sparrows. Yellow butterflies with red, black and white designed creation is seen with amazing beauty.

Butterfly

Marsh with out a butterfly? will not be called Marsh. Adding a jewel to the crown of the Pallikaranai marsh, butterflies were flying all around us in the marsh. Believe it or not we spotted more than 100's of butterflies with varied varieties. Irrespective of the count, they were chillers for the eyes

I was able to capture a beautiful moment on which a butterfly was trying to fill her stomach with nectar from nature

It was 10:30 AM. Time went by so fast. We had our buses ready to pick us up. Giving thanks to Dr.Daniels we boarded our bus. We had a special great experience there in the marsh.

We have to create awareness among the public about the importance of this marsh.

On the way back to our home me and Vimal again stopped our vehicle near the marsh have spent another 1 hour watching the birds. We are awaiting another eco-walk to be arranged by our Go Green community.

Cheers to those who organized this Eco-walk...