Post
by Patsycat » December 19th, 2008, 10:12 pm
Rare wetland
"The birds come here to rest," Dr Sekercioglu says. "They can't afford to waste valuable migration energy, fleeing from visitors. If they're constantly disturbed they can't stay here."
Almost 60% of Turkey's wetlands have disappeared in the past five decades - a result of irresponsible irrigation combined with climate change. That has made the struggle to save Kuyucuk for the birds more urgent.
Every so often a huge truck rumbles by loaded with construction materials for a new dam being built nearby.
The prospect of irrigation is encouraging villagers to plan more intensive farming, using fertilisers for the first time. If that happens, those chemicals are sure to contaminate the lake.
But on its shore the protection work goes on, to the constant honk of hundreds of shelduck.
Every hour, volunteers untangle birds from huge nets strung at various points on the lakeside. They weigh and measure them, then release them into the wild with a metal leg-ring to track their progress.
"We want to see where they go, what the trends are and how global warming is affecting things," explains Alan Brooks, a volunteer from South Africa, who is dressed in shorts despite the biting cold.
"Tens of thousands of birds use this place. It's one of the few wetlands of its type left. We must preserve it. It's very important," Mr Brooks believes.
Dangerous time
The volunteers are true enthusiasts, able to swap bird stories non-stop and never tire.
But the team knows they need to infect the local villagers with some of their passion to have any chance of protecting Kuyucuk for the future.
"For now, people talk the talk, but they don't walk the walk," Dr Sekercioglu explains.
Officials are considering granting the lake limited protection status
"Conservation is still seen as a luxury in Turkey," he says, though in Kuyucuk awareness is improving - encouraged by talk of eco-tourism and a potential income for the villagers.
Due to Dr Sekercioglu's tireless campaigning, Turkey's environment ministry has been considering granting the lake area limited protection status.
However, there are signs it may be faltering - and Dr Sekercioglu is worried.
"We've lost so many important conservation sites almost overnight in Turkey - and ones with far stricter protection than what's being considered for Kuyucuk," he says.
"Anything could happen here."
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End of Article - go to the link at the top to view the video
SAVE THE EARTH!!
It's the only Planet
With Chocolate!
what about using more these modern social networking possibilities like Twitter, Facebook etc.