Indian Swiftlets......... saved??

The Konkan coast line known for its rich marine life and avifauna has become one of the major attractions for wildlife enthusiasts. But till recently the situation in the region was not at all encouraging as the birds like Indian Swiftlet, white bellied sea eagle and white backed vultures were under severe threat due to poaching and habitat destruction.
However, dedicated efforts and hard work put in by the activists of Sahyadri Nisarg Mitra (SNM) has virtually retrieved these species from being extinct. So much so that because of the NGO, Indian Swiftlet is now in Schedule I of endangered species.
The crusade began when the activists of SNM visited Vengurla Rocks for bird watching. “When we visited Vengurla Rocks on April 8, 2001 all of us were delighted to see Indian swiftlet flying near the skyline and at the sea-side of entrance of the cave on Bandra Rocks,” said Vishwas Katdare, founder of SNM.
However, the joy of having seen thousands of nests was short lived as the cave was full of bamboo scaffolding erected by poachers. “The poachers were not interested in the bird or its eggs. Their target was the nest, which had great demand outside India,” Katdare recalled. On being informed, forest department officials raided the caves and arrested poachers red handed on April 17, 2001 and the follow up by the NGO resulted in inclusion of the species in Schedule I, the list of critically endangered animals. The situation changed within a one year the cave was full of nests and almost all the nests had one or two eggs. “It was moment of immense satisfaction to see the cave full of nests having eggs. Now the local people, whom we trained, are protecting the nests,” said Katdare.
It is not just the Indian Swiftlet, but white bellied sea eagle and white backed vulture population has also increased remarkable due to efforts of SNM. “The major threats were habitat destruction. These birds were being deprived of food resulting in death,” Katdare said. The NGO involved local people in the activities and brought about remarkable increase in the population of white bellied sea eagle and white backed vultures.