An Avian Quest in the Eastern Ghats

Project Coordinator of the Care Earth Trust, Chennai, J. Patrick David travelled across some spectacular hills and sholas of the Eastern Ghats of Tamil Nadu (EGTN) to conduct a bird survey. The survey was part of a threeyear project to document the avian diversity of the region, supported by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).

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Unperturbed by the slight drizzle and the distant tussle between lightning and thunder, my colleague Vinoth and I decided to bike through a newly-laid road from Vepadi (500 m.) to Yercaud (1,530 m.) in the Shevroys. This is the third route that has been commissioned to the hill town of Yercaud. As the bike ascended the hills, the tarred road gave way to a mud road and we skidded dangerously a few times. By the time we reached Yercaud, the rain was heavier, and we found ourselves stopped by a long file of vehicles piled one behind the other, stretching for five kilometres or more. It was a Sunday and tourists had flocked to this beautiful hill station to escape the heat. When we finally reached Yercaud, we grabbed a quick bite, picked up our permissions from the forest range office and readied ourselves for an early start the next day. The majestic Shevroys and its remnant forests were part of our long journey through the hills of EGTN, which started in the Sathyamangalam Forest Division.

FIRST LEG (SATHYAMANGALAM AND ERODE)