Sringeri is a refuge for endemic and threatened bird species, finds Andhra Pradesh researcher

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A Nilgiri flycatcher photographed in Sringeri during researcher V.V. Bala Subramanyam’s findings for his study titled The Avian Aura of Sringeri Western Ghats. | Photo Credit: Brig. Antonny Grossy

A researcher from Sri Krishnadevaraya University (SKU) at Anantapur in Andhra Pradesh has identified the forest areas around Sringeri as a major refuge for endemic and threatened bird species of the Western Ghats, while cautioning that unchecked development activities pose a growing threat to their survival.

V.V. Bala Subramanyam, assistant professor of zoology at SKU, has studied the birds of Sringeri and documented his findings in The Avian Aura of Sringeri Western Ghats, a comprehensive volume on the region’s bird life, co-authored with professor M. Jagadish Naik.

During his research, Mr. Subramanyam recorded several Western Ghats endemics, including the Malabar grey hornbill, the Malabar trogon, the white-cheeked barbet, the Malabar parakeet, the rufous babbler, and the yellow-browed bulbul. He also sighted the Nilgiri wood pigeon, the Nilgiri flycatcher, and the black-and-orange flycatcher — species classified as “vulnerable” or “near threatened” on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.

A black-and-orange flycatcher photographed in Sringeri. | Photo Credit: Brig. Antonny Grossy

He attributed the region’s rich birdlife to its heavy rainfall, undisturbed canopy cover, and pristine riverine ecosystems, which together create ideal conditions for these habitat-sensitive species. Beyond their ecological value, he noted, these birds play a vital role in seed dispersal, insect population control, and natural forest regeneration — all essential to maintaining the health of the Western Ghats.

However, Mr. Subramanyam expressed concern that recent development pressures, particularly illegal tree felling and unregulated tourism, are beginning to disturb critical habitats. He recommended strict protection of existing natural forests, active habitat restoratio