Report of the one day Bird watching Programme for NGOs organized by the C.P.R.Env.Edn.

Centre, Chennai in Ousteri lake under Bio-Diversity Conservation Programme

Ousteri is a wetland situated on the western side of Puducherry (Pondicherry). The entire wetland
covers an area of around 390 hectares and the radius of the lake is 12kms. It is geographically located in Puducherry and Tamil Nadu. Interestingly the eastern side of the lake belongs to Villupuram District of Tamil Nadu and the western side belongs to Puducherry .

It attracts many migratory avian species. It is recognized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as one of the important wetlands of Asia.
From the Stone inscriptions of Thiruvakarai Temple, it is learnt that the lake was dug during the reign of Krishnadeva Rayar (i.e., 15091529). In order to make the NGOs of Puducherry to understand the time memorial important wetland of their region which is situated very clos to their proximity the C.P.R.Env.Edn. Centre, Chennai organized a Bird Watching Programme .

The Bird Watching Programme started on 25th December 2013 at 06.30am.. 35 interested members of various NGOs of Puducherry participated in it. They were guided by the environmentalist Mr. C.S. Ramanathan and Mr. S. Ganapathy taking them to the Lake Estate of Sri Aurobindo Ashram of the Ousteri. Mr. V. Ramalingam programme co-ordinator briefed the participants about the CPR Environment Education Centre of Chennai and the immense need of protecting the bio-diversity. He also told about the history of the Ousteri lake.

The visibility of the lake is very clear in the morning for bird watching. Almost all the participants were new to Bird Watching; Mr. Ganapathy vividly described the Dos and Donts of Bird

watching. They were also instructed how to view through binocular. The things to keep in mind while watching birds and the information of the bird migration were clearly explained to them.

The participants were asked to feel free to refer the Hand Book of Indian Birds published by the Bombay Natural History Society, immediately after watching a bird. Mr. Ganapathy assisted them in this new venture of the participants. The following birds were visible in the lake on that day. Wigeon male and female 27 Nos Terns 7 Nos Brahmini kite 1 No Smal Green Beeeater 12 Nos Palm swift 5 Nos

The participants were provided Binoculars and pictures denoting the name of the parts of a bird. Model worksheets stating the important points of bird watching were distributed to the participants for their future use. . A list containing the name of avian visitors of Ousudu lake depicting their English name Tamil name and scientific name was also been distributed to them. They were taken to the top of a mound from where the lake is clearly visible in the morning sunshine. Being the first time for them, every one of the participant were greatly astonished and excited to view the lake through Binocular.

While walking in the garden they came across White headed Barbler, Sunbird male, Myna etc . They were made to listen carefully and hear the calls of the birds. They identified Koel song. The calls of Red vented bulbul, Parakeet and Sun bird were heard from nearby shrubs and trees.

made known to the participants.

While walking along the passage, Mr. Ramanathan helped the participants in identifying various herbs found on both sides . Their medicinal value and the methods to use them were also elaborated to the participants. The need to protect them for the benefit of all living things of the world was insisted. The garden was filled with colourful flowers of various plants. The butterflies of 12 varieties were noted by the participants. Besides these, many varieties of beetles, insects and centipedes were also identified. After the breakfast, we marched through the road which leads to a small village Poothurai. On the way we had an interesting sight of a cattle grassing in the wetland meadows and the cattle egrets of 17 nos. surrounding the cattle and eating the insects flying around while the cattle was moving. In turn the egrets help the cattle by eating the parasites on the body of the cattle. The inter dependence of living things and helping one another in their attitude was

We went to the Grass Land farm, which is further towards the north of the eastern side of the lake. Here we identified the following. Grey Heron Purple Heron Palm Swift Open bill Brahmini kite Large Grey Barbler 5Nos 2Nos 12 Nos 9 Nos 3Nos 1No

We then went to the peacock garden of the Sri Aurobindo Ashram.. Mr. Ramanathan briefed about the birds in Tamil literature to the participants.

All along the way he described about the rare varieties of trees , shrubs and plants. Many endangered species of trees and plants were reared here. Along the route of short trekking we came across dropping of various animals such as fox, rabbit, porcupine and rabbit. Foot prints of fox were also visible nearby the artificial pond created by the efforts of Mr. Saravanan. On returning from the trekking we were refreshed by hot and tasty herbal juice. With this we came to the end of the days programme.

Around 1 Oclock we reached the Aranya forest of Aroville. Mr. Saravanan In-charge of the place cordially welcomed us. We all had our lunch here which was hot and tasty. The participants were shown an exhibition of some migratory and common bird pictures. After this Mr. Saravanan lead us through bushes and ravines of the place. Mr. Krishnan, Deputy Director (Training), State Training Centre of Puducherry appreciated the active participation of the NGOs and their role in conserving Bio-Diversity . He gave away the Certificates to the participants. Everyone departed with joyful memories lasting for a long time, expressing heartful gratitude to CPR Env.Edn.Centre for having organized such a wonderful and useful programme.