Conservation significance of Chempakasheri Wetland - A hidden paradise of migratory birds and birders on the west coast of Kerala, India

Conducting avian surveys in previously unexamined regions is of paramount importance. The Chempakasheri Wetland, located in the Alappuzha District of Kerala, serves as an undocumented winter habitat for shorebirds in the state. From December 2022 to December 2023, a comprehensive assessment of the bird diversity within the Chempakasheri Wetlands was carried out. Observations were primarily conducted using binoculars, leading to the documentation of 93 species categorized into 16 orders and 40 families, as indicated by eBird statistics. The study revealed that the region was predominantly inhabited by Passeriformes (30 species), followed by Charadriiformes (16 species) and Pelecaniformes (16 species). Additionally, six species classified as Near Threatened (NT) according to the IUCN Red List were identified. These foundational findings underscore the significance of the Chempakasheri Wetland as a crucial stopover for migratory birds along the southwestern coast of Kerala and highlight the urgent need for enhanced conservation measures. Given the substantial anthropogenic pressures affecting these wetlands and the observed decline in waterfowl populations, it is imperative to establish a systematic monitoring program for both bird populations and wetland health to safeguard the ecosystem and its avian inhabitants.