Saving Kattampally Wetland from Reclamation

Sir,
We would like to bring to your kind notice the state of Kattampally wetland in Kannur district of North Kerala.

Kattampally, identified as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by Indian Bird Conservation Network (IBCN) and Birdlife International (BLI), is facing a grave threat from large-scale reclamation in the immediate future. Work on an Ayurveda health resort has commenced on a 15-acre plot near Varam Kadavu that forms part of this wetland. A portion of the plot has been reclaimed by a trust headed by the former Forest Minister K.P. Nooruddin.

A vast extent of the ecologically sensitive wetland is identified as an abode for many migratory birds including the two vulnerable species of birds of prey, Greater Spotted Eagle (Aquila clanga) and Indian Spotted Eagle (Aquila hastata). It is the only place in Kerala state where these majestic birds of prey are regularly found. Four species considered to be globally Near-Threatened by IBCN are also seen regularly in these wetlands. Kattampally also acts as a staging ground for more than 1\% of the global population of Garganey Teals (Anas querquedula). This is considered as an important criterion for a wetland of international importance according Ramsar Convention, a global treaty on Wetlands where India also represented. Last year, during a wetland study conducted by Malabar Natural History Society (MNHS), more than 18000 birds were seen in this wetland. Kattampally is also the only place in the west coast of India where the rare Oriental Pratincoles (Glareola maldivarum) are known to be breeding.

This vast swamp consists mainly of paddy fields. Conversion of paddy fields and filling up of ecologically sensitive wetlands are prohibited under law. Hence, we request you to kindly intervene and stop the reclamation activities and conserve the natural ecosystems of Kattampally wetland.

Considering the rich bird fauna found in this wetland, we have strong proposal to notify Kattampally wetland as bird sanctuary, perhaps the first one for Malabar.