Paddy cultivators in Puttalam disturbed by large flocks of birds

A farmer seen hitting an empty can with a stick to chase away birds.

Paddy cultivators in Anamaduwa and Atthikulam areas in the Puttalam district expressed concern about the influx of large flocks of endemic and migratory birds that feed on the milking rice although it is a lovely and an attractive sight.

The farmers pointed out that they have been facing crop damage caused by wild elephants, giant squirrels, peacocks and toque macaques and that it has been worsened by birds of different species. 

They said paddy fields and the surrounding jungles are teeming with flocks of migratory birds. Flocks of birds of different species have made their abode in the jungles and the paddy fields near tanks and lake. 

Farmers trying their best to save the harvest

An average size packet of crackers is not sufficient for a day. We are wasting our hard earned money!” 

Kapurumenika of Andigama

Farmers complained that they have been compelled to watch the paddy fields from dawn till dusk every day to save the paddy fields from crop damage caused by birds and that it was a tedious task.  They pointed out that tens of thousands of birds in flocks perched on the paddy fields and fed freely on milking rice.

Another tactic used to keep birds away

Chaminda Rajapakse, a farmer from Anthikulama said that paddy cultivations in Veewewa, Siyambalawewa, Devalawewa, Gomawewa and Tharanagahawewa irrigation schemes are the worst affected. He said the farmers attempt to drive away the birds by hitting empty cans with sticks and walking around the paddy fields or by lighting crackers to no avail. It is an ordeal but we have no alternative. We have to bear it or else not a single grain would be left for us. The birds ruin the cultivations in a matter of hours,” he said.

Another paddy cultivator R.H.M.Abeyratne said that farmers would be compelled to give up paddy cultivation without incurring losses. 

Farmers attempt to drive away the birds by hitting empty cans with sticks and walking around the paddy fields or by lighting crackers” 

Rajapakse, farmer from Anthikulama

“The menace of wild beasts has been further aggravated by birds. Nature lovers say that these birds were migrating from other parts of the world affected by winter. True enough it is a lovely sight for them. One’s food is poison for another. We are in a serious predicament. Every flock has thousands of birds,” he said. 

Kapurumenika of Andigama who has about an acre of paddy land said she with her son watch the paddy field from dawn till dusk and light crackers to drive away the birds. “An average size packet of crackers is not sufficient for a day. We are wasting our hard earned money!” she exclaimed.  

 R.H.M.Indrani of Andikulama said that their main grievance for a long had been about the threat of wild elephants, wild boar, giant squirrels, and endemic birds. Now added to that are the migratory birds,” she said.

Meanwhile bird lovers observe that the jungles, paddy fields and the environs surrounding tanks and lakes have become habitats for different species of birds, creating an attractive sight. They are of the view that these birds migrate from South Asia via the Himalayan range and the wetlands of South East Asia during the winter and that they stay for a very short while and leave by April if they survive.