Kokkare Bellur is a must-visit destination for bird lovers and conservationists, and this is 15 kms northwest to the taluk centre Maddur and referred in ancient inscriptions as ‘Belluru, Beluru, Chikkabeluru.
The village is named after the painted stork (Ibis leucocephalus) is also known as “kokkare”. Also spot-billed pelicans can be found here, which the villagers have adopted as their heritage and believe that this bird brings them luck and prosperity.
Declared a community reserve in the year 2007, this has been a foraging site for pelicans and painted storks.
Situation Analysis of Kokkarebellur
- Rescue of 35 painted stork and spot-billed pelican chicks in April 2015 after heavy rains
- Collaboration with District and Teuk level as part of multi-stakeholders’ forums to participate in the Aardhrabhoomi activities.
- Identification of 7 Micro wetlands for rejuvenation in Kokkarebellur.
- Bird watching & species identification by HSBC employees at Kokkarebellur.
- Promotion of sustainable agriculture practices in the catchment.
- Interpretation centre has been planned in the existing Tourism Department facilities at Kokkarebellur which will be run by local community.
In 2006 Kokkarebellur was identified as “Important Bird Area in India by Birdlife International and in 2007, an area of 3.12 sq km in Kokkarebellur was declared as Community Reserve under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. In recent times, lifestyle changes driven by economic and social shifts in traditional practices are giving way to greater threats to birds and their habitats. However, there is a strong commitment from the village youth and elders as well as the Government, to address these aspects with a view to conserve the age-old symbiotic relationship between the people and the birds.
Read the full story that first appeared in Wildlife Watch here:
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