Mangalore
also known as Mangaluru is the chief port city of the Indian state of
Karnataka. It is known as Kudla in Tulu. It is located about 371 kilometers
west of the state capital, Bangalore. Mangalore lies between the Arabian Sea
and the Western Ghat mountain ranges, and is the administrative headquarters of
the Dakshina Kannada district
in south western Karnataka.
The city has a tropical climate and
lies in the path of the Arabian Sea branch of the South-West monsoons. The two
rivers Netravati and Gurupura along with estuaries is a home for variety of
wandering and migratory birds. The city has several bird habitats and garden
houses that attract a wide variety of species. The marshland area near the city
has a unique habitat is a best places for them.
Some of the common birds found in an around Mangalore:
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Common name: House Crow |
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Common name: Black Kite
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Common name:
Red-Whiskered Bulbuls
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Pair of BulBul
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Common
name: Brahminy Kite
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Common name:
Cattle Egret
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Common name: Asian Koel (male)
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Common name: Asian Koel (female)
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Common
name: Common Kingfisher
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These Birds are so important to our
wellbeing. They play a vital role in maintaining the balance of nature. Often,
we fail to realize how significant their presence is to us and to our green
planet. One of the assets of the region is the nests and breeding ground of the
Migratory birds. Poaching of birds and the ever expanding concrete jungle has
been a constant cause of worry for many birders and nature lovers. Today where
the construction and developments works are increasing in the city is losing
its habitat for numbers of avian.
Lying on the backwaters of the
Netravati and Gurupura rivers, Mangalore is often used as a staging point for
sea traffic along the Malabar Coast. Increase in industrial, commercial,
agricultural, processing and port related activities has shown increment in the
pollution of water and land usage. The New Mangalore Port is India's seventh
largest ports. Imports through Mangalore harbour include crude oil, edible oil,
LPG, and timber. Today city has the major enterprise including the Mangalore
Chemicals and Fertilizers Ltd. (MCF), Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Ltd. (KIOCL),
Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd. (MRPL), BASF, Bharati Shipyard
Limited and Total Oil India Limited (ELF Gas), which contributes both in land
and water pollution.
Due to the diverse development many
migratory birds have lost their breeding and nesting place and the rapid
industrialisation is the major reason for the extinction of some species of birds.
Increase in the height and number of the buildings which is done in patch
forests. Various hydraulic projects in Netravati and Gurupura rivers are
disturbing the habitat of the birds in Ghats.
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common name: Brown headed Barbet
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Common name: Woodpecker
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Common name: Common Myna
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The Environment Protection Act 1986
and Biodiversity Act 2002 which should to be made strict in the region of
Western Ghats and Coastal regions of Karnataka; Which eventually will protect
the endemic species of birds and their habitat in the region.
Awareness among the people and
authorities of the region should be brought, because every individual is
equally important to protect the environment and save guard it for the future
generation.
Providing nesting sites, creating a
water source, reduce the use of chemicals and pesticides in lawns and gardens.
Plant native fruit and berry-bearing bushes and trees on your property and also,
maintain ground vegetation and shrubs adjacent to water. That is a structural
diversity, with shrubs and herbaceous plants that grow under trees and plants
at different heights and groupings. Erect bird feeders in lawns and nectar
feeders away from windows and away from predators.