Location: Trichur district,
Kerala
Area: 11,000 ha
Altitude: 0-1 m
Description of site: The Kole region lies in Trichur,
Chowghat, Mukundapuram, and Ponnani taluks of Trichur and Malappuram districts
of Kerala. The name Kole refers to the peculiar type of cultivation characteristic
of these wetlands (Karuvannur and Kecheri basins about 11,000 ha) carried
out from December through April.
Climatic conditions: Moderate climate, with an average
annual rainfall of 2500 mm. Temperature varies from a maximum of 38� C to
a minimum of 17�C. Humidity is high
Principal vegetation: Natural vegetation includes
grasses and sedges. The principal cultivated crop is paddy. The slopes around
the paddy fields are terraced and perennially planted with arecanut and coconut
or annuals such as banana. The slopes then merge into flat plateau on which
annual and seasonal crops are grown
Disturbances and threats: The indiscriminate use of pesticides
is affecting the bird life and there are also reports of birds being captured
and killed for meat
Economic and social values: This traditional form of cultivation
sustains the local population. The Kole wetlands are an attractive waterfowl
habitat
Fauna: An avifauna count was conducted in February
1992 by dividing the area into blocks-A dat, Aranattakura, Enammavu, Manakkodi,
Mulloorkayal, Palakkal, Pudukkad, and Punnayurkulam. The following species
were recorded: Podiceps ruficollis (38), Phalacrocorax niger (263), Nycticorax
nycticorax (6), Ardeolagrayii (2495), Bubulcus ibis (4248), Butroides striates
(2), Egretta gularis (7), Egretta garzetta (1385), E. intermedia (93), E.
albs (18), Ardea purpurea (9), Anastomus oscitans (161), Ciconia episcopus
(4), Threskiornis melanocephalus (26), Nettapus coromandelianus (100), Amaurornis
phoenicurus (22), Porphyrio porphyrio (7), Hydrophasianus chirurgus (2), Metopidius
indicus (1), Himantopus himantopus (68), Glareola lactea (1085), Vanellus
indicus (50), Pluvialis dominica (205), Charadrius arquata (241), C. alexandrines
(6), C.mongolus (15), Numenius arquata (21), Tringa nebularia (13), Tringa
ochropus (132), Tringa stagnatilis (421),Tringa hypoleucos (173), Gallinago
gallinago (17), Calidris minutes (287), Calidris temminckii (42), Larus brunnicephalus
(7), L. ridibundus (1599), Chilondias hybrids (2642), Circus aeruginosus (16),
C. macrourus (2), Anastomus oscitans( 161); C. melanoleucos (1).
Some bird species not included in'Birds of Kerala' (Salim Ali, 1969) were
identified: Platalea leucorodia, Anas acuta, Fulica atra, Himantopus himantopus,
Pluvialis squatarola, Charadrius hiaticula, Calidris albas, Calidris temminckii,
Glareola pratincola, Larus argentatus, Sterna sandvicensis, phoenicurus ochruros,
Oenanthe deserti, Motacilla citreola, and Estrilda amandava. The Kole lands
also deserve special mention for the sighting of 161 openbill storks and and
26 white ibis
Related Tour Packages & Information
