Bid to protect ‘Rice bowl of Vadakara’ as a community reserve

Key Points

1. Cherandathur Chira, known as the rice bowl of Vadakara, is proposed as a community reserve.
2. The project aims to conserve nearly 600 acres of wetland in Maniyur grama panchayat.
3. Over 80 bird species, including rare migratory ones, have been recorded in the area.
4. A Haritha Samiti (green committee) will be formed with community participation.
5. The Kadalundi community reserve will serve as a model for implementation.
6. The sighting of Common Pochard, a medium-sized diving duck facing extinction threats, has attracted State-level attention.
7. Nearly 10 rare varieties of migratory ducks, including the Ferruginous duck and Eurasian wigeon, were spotted.