Kaiga biodiversity puzzles scientists

Despite apprehensions about the Kaiga nuclear power station’s impact on the environment and a possible threat of radiation, a surge in the population of rare animals, birds and insects in the villages surrounding the plant has surprised the scientific community.

Besides tiger, panther and gaur, which are sighted frequently in the region, rare birds like the open-billed stork, gold-fronted chloropsis and Malabar pied hornbill are arriving in large numbers.

The Kaiga power station authorities attributed the phenomenon to security and the Forest Department claimed that increased monitoring in the area after it was declared a part of the Anshi-Dandeli Tiger reserve had contributed to the growth in biodiversity.

The Asian open-billed stork, which used to arrive alone and at times in pairs, now comes in large numbers. So are birds of prey like Osprey, three pairs of which were spotted along River Kali.

The Malabar pied hornbills have made some villages around Kaiga their home. The birds are found in sizeable numbers at Kaiga Hartuga, Kuchegar and Virje.

“It is amazing that more than 60-70 open-billed storks and others birds have arrived here this year. This is a record of sorts. With each passing year, the flock’s number has been increasing,” said K Puttaraju, a bird expert, photographer and a scientific officer at the Kaiga station.

Bird watchers and forest officials have confirmed sighting several rare and migratory birds in Irpage, Kerwadi, Devalmakki, Wailwada and Halga-Ulga villages on the left bank of the river.

Sighting of animals like tiger, panther, gaur, sambar, jackal and Malabar giant squirrel near the plant is a treat to the eye. The place is home to 220 species of birds, about 300 butterflies and more than 500 moths. India’s biggest butterfly, the Southern Birdwing, and Asia’s largest moth, Atlas (wingspan of 12 inches), are found in abundance here.

Though the exact reason for the sudden surge in biodiversity is not known, Puttaraju attributes it to the strict security around the Kaiga plant, which has minimised hunting by villagers.

“We have a strong Central Industrial Security Force manning the Kaiga plant and the town. This has brought down hunting activities. This could be a reason why birds and animals feel secure and flock to the Kaiga region,” Puttaraju said.

Stating that the local people too were showing interest in conservation, following an education programme initiated by the power plant, he said creation of employment opportunities by the plant had also reduced hunting.

Some experts say water discharged from the plant was a bit warm compared to the running river water. “Warm water is good for breeding fish. Since fish are in abundance in the region, birds find it a feasible place to roost,” said another bird expert.

More than 220 species of birds have been sighted in the region. They include Indian Pitta, Osprey, Adjuctant Stork, wooly-necked stork, darter, barn fish owl, white and black ibis, rare Ceylon frogmouth, crested serpent eagle, gold-fronted chlorpsis and black stint.

Butterfly species include southern bird wing, blue mormon, tiny glass blue, red mormon, crimpson rose, six types of pansies and Nawaz.