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Threat to Kadalundi's Vital Mudflats

  • 22 Nov 2023

The once 8-hectare nutrient-rich mudflats in Kadalundi, along the south-west coast, have recently dwindled to a mere 1 hectare, raising concerns for the thousands of migrant shorebirds that flock to the region in winter.

Key Points

  • Mudflat Erosion Threatens Kadalundi: The estuary of Kadalundipuzha River witnesses a drastic reduction in mudflats from 8 to 1 hectare, jeopardizing the habitat for migrating shorebirds.
  • Urgent Need for Protection and Restoration: Researchers emphasize the urgent need to protect and restore the mudflats to prevent Kadalundi's disappearance as a global hub for migrant shorebirds.
  • Decline in Prey and Invasive Elements: The decline in mudflats reduces prey availability for shorebirds, while invasive elements like sandbanks and mangroves further threaten the ecosystem.
  • Passive Government Response: Despite efforts to convey the importance of protecting mudflats, the government's response has been passive, according to researchers studying ecological changes in Kadalundi.
  • Ecotourism Initiatives and Mangrove Proliferation: Efforts to promote ecotourism in the Kadalundi-Vallikunnu Community Reserve involve expanding mangroves, which have grown from less than 50 to over 60 hectares. New mangrove species are being planted to enhance eco-tourism.
  • Carbon Sequestration Debate: The mangrove lobby emphasizes carbon sequestration, but researchers argue for the significance of soil and mud, containing twice the carbon compared to the atmosphere, vegetation, and animals.
  • Shorebird Preferences and Mangrove Invasion: Mangroves, proliferating due to sedimentation on mudflats, fail to attract shorebirds that prefer open mudflats for safety from predators.
  • The aggressive invasion of viviparous mangroves negatively impacts the foraging behavior of migrant bird species.
  • Impact of Floods and Migration Shift: Devastating floods in 2018 and 2019 accelerated degradation in Kadalundi.
  • Migrant birds with site fidelity are now seeking alternatives on neighboring coastlines due to prey depletion caused by sandbanks and mangrove proliferation.