A people's initiative has begun in earnest with the objective of carving out a bird sanctuary along with the process of eco-restoration of one of the biggest water spreads in Salem city.

Mookaneri, in the heart of Salem, is being cleaned up and desilted using donations from public to improve the groundwater table. Nearly 50 islands are being created for planting 25,000 saplings, which, when fully grown, will provide nesting ground for birds, both migratory and resident.

The lowest rainfall recorded last year in over 100 years and rising temperatures sounded warning bells among the members of the Salem Citizens Forum, a non-profit organisation. To facilitate eco-restoration and creation of bird sanctuary, the Public Works Department handed over Mookaneri and Ismail Khan tank to the forum for maintenance............Click for more

Source Web Page: The Hindu